In keeping with its long-standing tradition of emphasizing safety features, Volvo now offers an optional system to monitor the area to the side and rear of a car popularly known as the "blind spot." Volvo was the first company to introduce wide-angle mirrors on car doors in 1979 and now the company is utilizing cameras to enhance driver awareness in moving traffic. (The system will not alert the driver to parked cars or other types of static objects.)
The Volvo Blind Spot Information system is a $595 option comprised of three parts. The most noticeable, the indicator, appears at the bottom corner of the front windows above the sound system's tweeter. The translucent square shows orange when another vehicle is in the blind spot. The system's second, and most vital component, is the camera mounted adjacent to the side mirror which actually performs the monitoring. (Note that there is a camera located under each side mirror.) Finally, there's a switch on the center stack to turn the system on and off that is labeled "BLIS."
The system will recognize both regular sized vehicles (cars and trucks) and motorcycles in both daylight and night-time driving conditions. The technology will respond to any car moving at a speed of more than 6 mph and those that are driving as much as 12 mph slower and 43 mph faster than the car on which the system itself is mounted. It should be noted, however, that in conditions where the visibility is poor, like fog or heavy snow, the BLIS will not work and will inform the driver of that fact.
No doubt in an effort to avoid potential litigation, Volvo says the BLIS system is designed to provide the driver with "information," not to act as a clearance or warning signal. Reviewers who have driven Volvos outfitted with the BLIS suggest that new car owners should "learn" the system by using the mirrors to observe exactly where a car approaching from the rear is located when the indicator light activates. All agree that the BLIS allows for a "generous" amount of space for lane changes. The technology is meant to compliment the driver's own judgment of the current traffic pattern, not to take the place of the appropriate use of the mirrors or to override decisions based on years of driving experience.
That area right behind your car or truck is quite hidden from your view as the driver. That is called the vehicle blind zone and it could prove to be fatal to children. This is according to the latest study that Consumer Reports did on vehicles. And just to warn you, the worst vehicle on blind spots is the 2006 Jeep Commander Limited. So if you do own this vehicle, you might to take further caution when driving and when backing up.
So what are the details behind the 2006 Jeep Commander Limited as to why it was declared one of the worst in blind zones? Well, according to Consumer Reports, when they measured the blind zone for the mentioned vehicle, they were able to take note of some 44 feet for its blind zone. That is, if the driver is five feet and eight inches tall. But just imagine if the driver is smaller? That would mean a greater area and range of the blind zone.
Don Mays, the senior director of Consumer Reports on product safety and consumer science, further emphasizes the point of blind spots by stating, ?Consumer Reports findings illustrate that the danger of vehicle blind zones correlates with the use of large SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks as common family vehicles. Consumers must be cognizant of this danger ? and the value of rearview cameras ? when going out to purchase a new vehicle.?
Indeed, the large the blind zone, the greater the chances of the vehicle to accidentally run over small items ? from bikes to pets to children. According to a safety group, Kids and Cars, they are able to estimate that more than a hundred children lost their lives because drivers of vehicles could not very well see what was behind the vehicle and in the blind zone. Those are the statistics for deaths but the cases for injuries are greater. Perhaps if only children and bikes are easily replaced like Lincoln Versailles parts, then everything would be much simpler. But this case is not.
Sally Greenberg is Consumers Union's senior product safety counsel for the area of Washington, DC, and she believes, ?Unfortunately, the few vehicles that now come with the technology that enables drivers to see what's in their blind zones are higher end models, and most devices are available as an extra cost option ? often requiring the purchase of other equipment like an expensive navigation system. We believe that backup technologies, such as rearview cameras are essential, and should be a requirement by federal law. Their cost is small compared to the cost of a child's life. And once this technology becomes standard equipment in vehicles, systems will become more economical for manufacturers to produce.?
Both Rob Parker & Pamela Hewitt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Rob Parker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Network Marketing and Real Estate. Let CarSeek.com's reviews help you choose from the best of the .. Rob Parker's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.
Pamela Hewitt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Used Car and Cars. ###Pamela Hewitt is marketing consultant of a successful auto body shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani. Pamela Hewitt's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.