Blind Spot Warning

[KevinRS]

Those lapses in attentiveness are part of the reason for BSW. Though it's not scheduled to be required in the US, apparently it is going to be taken into account in NHTSA ratings at some point, so I would think Slate would at least be looking at it, since they want to get and keep that 5 star rating.

I don't know why a few people seem to be set against having it. Do you want no airbags in your car because you don't plan on crashing?

 

[dark star]

Hey folks — I appreciate the spirited discussion here after I posted my desire for the BSW tech. I agree with the “set your mirrors correctly and pay attention” crowd… but I also think blind-spot warning is a genuinely useful backup, not a substitute for good driving.

I’m retired, and over decades behind the wheel I’ve logged well over 1,000,000 miles. I’ve been in several accidents (one put me in the hospital). None were my fault, and most were caused by the other driver being distracted — usually by a phone. The best safety feature in any car is still: put the damn phone down and drive.

That said, I’m pushing for BSW because I’ve personally had it “save” me a couple of times. Even with properly adjusted mirrors and a quick shoulder check, I still didn’t see a car that was there — and the warning stopped a lane change I was about to make. Humans miss things. Tech can sometimes catch the miss.

Also, for anyone who likes data: IIHS/HLDI research found vehicles with blind-spot monitoring had about 14% fewer lane-change crashes (and 23% fewer injury lane-change crashes) compared to the same models without the system. Humans make mistakes, “blind spots” can exist… whether due to reality, or misuse of the mirrors, or human errors, etc.

So my “wrap-up” point is simple: it would be great if Slate offered BSW as an optional feature. People who don’t want it shouldn’t have to pay for it — and people who do want, and believe in, that extra layer of protection should be able to add it. (NHTSA is even adding blind spot warning/intervention into its NCAP roadmap starting with the 2027 model year, which tells you it’s not a silly gimmick.)

(The statistics I mentioned is the best I could find from my research… statistics can always be twisted, so do not come at me if you find different numbers in your research).

Let’s hope we can all get this Slate vehicle as we want it, and l hope it’s original main appeal for me, PRICE and safety stays true.

 

[AZFox]

I'm hoping the rear view mirror's shape accepts a Broadway Mirror.

Is it dorky? Yep.
Does it help? Yes, a lot.

Edit
Of course there's always the four-panel Golf Cart Mirror option, haha.

 

[Driven5]

I don't know why a few people seem to be set against having it.

I'm not at all against having it. What I'm against is giving it a higher perceived value than it actually provides. It's the cognitive dissonance of promoting BSW largely on safety benefits that are shared with the SAE method, but resisting acknowledgement (let alone acceptance) as such.

 

[E90400K]

I'm in the properly adjusted mirrors camp. I like blind spot warning tech for the other people on the road, so they know I am passing them; I love to see the little light illuminate when I'm passing because it means the driver* most likely knows I'm passing him.

I think it is a mistake on Slate's part for not offering electrically adjustable mirrors, even as a DIY option (like their electric windows). Electrically adjustable mirrors is not new and expensive technology to add to a vehicle. Nearly every model of car in the United States is offered with electrically adjustable mirrors as standard equipment.

* who lacks spatial awareness and who was not trained how to properly adjust his mirrors

 

[cadblu]

I'm in the properly adjusted mirrors camp. I like blind spot warning tech for the other people on the road, so they know I am passing them; I love to see the little light illuminate when I'm passing because it means the driver* most likely knows I'm passing him.

I think it is a mistake on Slate's part for not offering electrically adjustable mirrors, even as a DIY option (like their electric windows). Electrically adjustable mirrors is not new and expensive technology to add to a vehicle. Nearly every model of car in the United States is offered with electrically adjustable mirrors as standard equipment.

* who lacks spatial awareness and who was not trained how to properly adjust his mirrors

Agreed! BSW technology has advanced beyond the level when it was first introduced. It's been my experience that the rear facing radar senses the speed of a vehicle which is trying to overtake you, before you even notice it in your rearview mirrors. The visual (and sometimes audible) warning flashes faster and way before the vehicle is in your actual blind spot. BSW is just another electronic aid to enhance your situational awareness. These days it seems aggressive driving is the norm, and I will gladly accept all the extra assistance available to avoid an incident.