Blind Spot Warning

[dark star]

Driving vehicles with Blind Spot Warning system, to me, is a major safety feature. I know how to drive, but this safety system has become a real advantage and a “must” for me. Safety is paramount. I hope Slate decides to build this “system” in, or, at least offer this as an option. I feel so strongly about this one feature, I took my daughter’s vehicle, which did not have this built in (an older model), and had it installed by a “third party.” It works, but not as nicely as BSW system that has come “built in” with my other vehicles.

 

[Driven5]

Properly adjusted (so that you can't see your own car in them) side mirrors are a FAR more important safety feature than BSW, yet the vast majority of drivers never learned this... Which is the main reason BSW is relevant.

I believe it's also becoming required to achieve a 5-star safety rating, and Slate has said it will be 5-star.

 

[dark star]

Properly adjusted (so that you can't see your own car in them) side mirrors are a FAR more important safety feature than BSW, yet the vast majority of drivers never learned this... Which is the main reason BSW is relevant.

I believe it's also becoming required to achieve a 5-star safety rating, and Slate has said it will be 5-star.

 

[dark star]

I totally get why you think mirrors should be properly adjusted! But I actually find the BSW feature to be a great safety boost that makes me feel more secure. I’m not as young as I used to be, and twisting and turning to check the blind spot has shown I have less neck mobility than I once did. I managed just fine without it, but the last two cars I’ve owned have had it, and it’s shown me how useful and safe it can be.

 

[SparkYellow]

I don't remember what I was taught as teenage driver. When I was trained in my 30s to become a driving instructor, I learned that side mirrors should show a slice of the door handle when I am in the proper driving position. I check and adjust the mirrors every time I drive. Some days I sit more upright, and other days I slouch. 🤦

BSM is the only advance safety feature that my daily driver has. It is useful but not always on point. There have been situations where I spotted hazards that the BSM did not warn about. The owner's manual did state its limitations. Also, in dusty situations, I get alerts about BSM malfunction. It would go away after the engine is turned off and on again. I have trained myself to not rely on BSM exclusively.

What I find most helpful is a convex rear view mirror (Broadway brand). Got my first one for the ridiculously small oval mirror in the R56. The convex mirror has helped me get out of harm's way on numerous occasions. It can't see the driver side blind spot (for that I have to turn my head), but it gives me a better view of the rear and passenger side. As a solo driver, I also recline the passenger seat to keep the headrest from blocking my over-the-shoulder sight line.

With Slate's single cab, I am hoping for an unobstructed view. 🙂

 

[Driven5]

I totally get why you think mirrors should be properly adjusted! But I actually find the BSW feature to be a great safety boost that makes me feel more secure. I’m not as young as I used to be, and twisting and turning to check the blind spot has shown I have less neck mobility than I once did. I managed just fine without it, but the last two cars I’ve owned have had it, and it’s shown me how useful and safe it can be.

I've watched too many other people's BSW not be lit up when it should be to put any meaningful faith in the technology. If there is minimal to no speed differential, many will not light up until my front bumper is close enough aligned to their rear bumper that, while it wouldn't directly cause a collision, it would be extremely unsafe for them to change lanes in front of another car with mere inches to spare.

With limited neck mobility, better mirror adjustment is even more important... Even if it takes a little relearning.

Properly adjusted mirrors means there are no blind spots anywhere!

Starting in a parking lot, adjust the mirrors so that there is NO overlap between the side and center mirrors. Doing this will result in your mirrors covering the full 180* behind you, and greatly reduce the degree to which you turn for the (now redundant) shoulder check. If it's leaving the center mirrors, it's visible in the side mirror. If it's leaving the side mirror, it's visible in your peripheral while looking no further back than the side mirror. The convex passenger may often be able to be brought back in for a little overlap with the center while still providing further forward visibility than the driver side. The driver side will be more limited. The only extremely minor concession to this is that looking further back up the road past the car behind with the side mirrors requires leaning over just a couple inches.

 

[dark star]

A agree with you all! I am just saying, for me, the blind spot warning system is an extra layer of safety… along with mirrors properly adjusted and LOOKING. I do not solely rely on that system, but, again, for myself, it is something I would always want on my car. (Just as I appreciate rear cameras.) So, I hope it is included, or offered as an option. I do appreciate everyone’s opinions!

 

[zipn]

BSW is also great if you get the SUV kit (or just wait until some 3rd party builds a topper for the back. I assume the SLATE will have BSW, but if it doesn't that's a big miss.

 

[dark star]

Zipn, I hope you are right, and Slate includes the BSW, but I have not heard nor read anything indicating they will. I submitted a question regarding this for the recent video they released answering questions from “deposit holders.” They did not address my question during that session (I realize they had many questions…too many to answer during a 20 minute question/answer session).

 

[phidauex]

I don't think the crash avoidance technologies are needed today for a 5-star NHTSA rating, since that is still largely focused on crashworthiness. However, they did approve changes that would create additional evaluation criteria for Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Warning, and Blind Spot Intervention. I think initially these would be shown as green check marks on the safety rating, but eventually the lack of them would prevent you from getting a 5 star rating. Note that 5-star means "Risk of injury is much less than average" for that vehicle class and weight. As other vehicles get safer, the same 5-star vehicle could drop to 4 or 3 stars just by sitting still.

Looks like the new rules were supposed to hit in 2026, but now have been delayed to 2027.

https://www.cbtnews.com/nhtsas-new-rules-seek-to-reduce-pedestrian-fatalities/

https://www.cbtnews.com/nhtsa-delays-5-star-safety-ratings-new-crash-prevention-rules-until-2027/

IIHS on the other hand, does already require ADAS features and Automatic Emergency Braking to get Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus. There are also headlight effectiveness requirements that push you to LED headlights, though hopefully the Slate can easily be good here.

Unfortunately I think Slate will need to figure out a path for some of these electronic measures - I know it feels counter to the simplicity topic, but being on the road as a driver or a pedestrian is the most dangerous thing most of us will ever do, and I think it is worth implementing anything that is available and tested to be effective, and over time, it would get harder or impossible to insure new vehicles that don't have such features.

 

[TomFrank]

I've not seen any mentions of BSW and just kind of assumed Slate wouldn't have it. My opinion of BSW is pretty much meh, so I'm good either way. What's more important and something I've not seen any mention of is how the side mirrors adjust. Looks to me like it will be open the window and do it by hand. Even old school cable operated joysticks seem to be missing. I don't see motor operated adjustments happening when you've got crank windows.

 

[Driven5]

I've not seen any mentions of BSW and just kind of assumed Slate wouldn't have it. My opinion of BSW is pretty much meh, so I'm good either way. What's more important and something I've not seen any mention of is how the side mirrors adjust. Looks to me like it will be open the window and do it by hand. Even old school cable operated joysticks seem to be missing. I don't see motor operated adjustments happening when you've got crank windows.

I recently asked, got answered, and subsequently provided feedback of my displeasure from the perspective of a multi-driver household, and can confirm that the mirrors are in fact externally adjustable only. Also that the only slated option to make this less inconvenient, not to mention messy in inclement weather, is power windows.

Having been there, done that, got the t-shirt with crank windows with external mirror adjustment, I think this is a miss on Slate's part.

Thankfully it shouldn't take much time for the aftermarket to solve this shortcoming, although it also certainly won't be as affordable as it could have been from the factory.