Blind spot indicators on newer vehicles

[Saluda]

Recent article in AMA magazine referencing how some of this new technology does not work as well with motorcycles (depending on size) as with vehicles. Some manufacturers seem more interested than others in attempting to resolve the issue. Something to always keep in the back of your mind.

[Pennyrick]

Recent article in AMA magazine referencing how some of this new technology does not work as well with motorcycles (depending on size) as with vehicles. Some manufacturers seem more interested than others in attempting to resolve the issue. Something to always keep in the back of your mind.

The sensitivity of the device is adjustable on some vehicles. Our new Nissan Murano was set up so that even rain drops would trigger the indicator light and that got to be annoying. The dealer tech programmed the sensitivity so that it takes less to activate it. That probably means motorcycles can creep up into the blind spot but I doubt it would effect the Spyder with all that frontal area.

[Chupaca]

still would have to look to see if it is working right. Have a great co-pilot that does a magnificent job and runs on coffee...

[Bob Denman]

Use tactics. NOT technology... to keep you safe n the highway!

[Elwood58]

Use tactics. NOT technology... to keep you safe n the highway!

Amen to that! The secret is to stay out of the blind spots whenever possible.

[Saluda]

The O.P. was not to advocate technology over tactics, but rather to point out possible deficiencies of some of the technology out there and to remind people of that. It is also to point out another area that the A.M.A. works for us.

[Bob Denman]

with you, but my statement was just more of a general admonition to use your own brain to keep you safe...


..Which in my case; means that I'm already dead!

[Saluda]

Agreed, good advice.

[ARtraveler]

I am not a fan of some of the new technology.

[daveinva]

I said sorta this in another thread when replying to Bob, but the nice thing about blind-spot monitoring (which I love, BTW) is that it tells you at a glance when it's NOT safe to go. Light's on, don't bother merging, plan an alternative course of action. Plus, there have been a number of times while driving that, even after my head check, impatient idiots have raced forward to my side, with the light alerting me at the last second to stop merging. It takes a second to do a headcheck, but stupid is instantaneous.

Additionally, in an emergency, if I absolutely have to swerve without a chance to turn my head away from the road, knowing that I can't swerve left but *might* be able to swerve right beats knowing nothing at all, i.e. BSM isn't something drivers should use in routine merging, but when things go south in an instant, even an imperfect technology gives you better odds than a coin flip.

Technology is best used as a ladder, not a crutch.

[WEB-WVR]

I am not a fan of some of the new technology.

Ditto ! If the "cagers" learn to rely on this technology (my concern) and less on common sense and their eye balls...that could be an increased danger factor for smaller items like motorcycles and Spyders.

Ride defensively at all times and enjoy !

[vided]

A lot of this technology will just dummy up
already bad, distracted car aimers

[Peacemaker7]

I am not a fan of some of the new technology.

I too have read this article in the AMA magazine. Some would say technology is taking out the need for drivers to be responsible for their actions while driving. It was pointed out to me that in the 80s, when it was made mandatory for motorcycles headlight to be on at all times, to help drivers to see motorcyclists and give us an advantage to be seen. Then one day, someone comes up with this brilliant idea that day time lights in cars would make it safer for all drivers. He asked us, do you even notice the headlights anymore? Or have you become used to seeing them all the time that it is no longer a safety measure? The resounding answer was yes. As for the blind spot sensors, too many times I have watched other drivers merge with their mirrors only. Have they forget that their head is designed to swivel on their neck, to clear their blind spots. Sometimes I wonder if clearing your blind spot in taught in drivers education anymore, just use your mirrors and pray that no one is beside you?

[Oldmanzues]

All of this factory saftey stuff will not replace the most common defective part in the vehicle, the driver. A friend of mine in CA is aLaw Enforcement officer. One of their cruisers was hit at a crash scene with all kinds of red and blue blinking lights at night. Driver said, he did not see police car ????
Oldmanzues

[cognaccruiser]

Yup, now instead of saying "but officer, I didn't see them" they can say, " but officer, my car didn't tell me they were there".

As has been said, technology should be an assist, not a replacement for common sense, which isn't very common any more.

Gary

[garb55]

All of this factory saftey stuff will not replace the most common defective part in the vehicle, the driver. A friend of mine in CA is aLaw Enforcement officer. One of their cruisers was hit at a crash scene with all kinds of red and blue blinking lights at night. Driver said, he did not see police car ????
Oldmanzues

No you are wrong
Technology is coming for self driving cars
So no driver needed
So what will the police say in an accident
which car is at fault and how will the car pay the ticket or repairs