Blind Spot Warning

[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.

 

[ThatADASguy]

These days it seems aggressive driving is the norm, and I will gladly accept all the extra assistance available to avoid an incident.

Sure seems that way in the DMV 😟

 

[SparkYellow]

As a driver of mostly small cars, I have learned to constantly look for and get out of other folks' blind spots. Safety principles from the motorcycle riding course are applied religiously even though I do not ride.

I also notice that Teslas in my area are usually very precise when merging and changing lanes. When they signal, there is adequate space, and they enter with confidence.

 

[bartflossom]

I believe the last time I heard that question raised was Monty Python’s In Search of the Holy Grail movie.

Blue. No yellow! Argggggh!

 

[ScooterAsheville]

As an USAF aviator for 20 years, I had to study accident causality, human factors, and human failure modes extensively. And I got to witness my share of accidents and deaths. There was always a chain of events, and there was almost almost a failure of one or more "infallible in their own minds" hunab beings.

Drivers are far worse. Absolutely untrained. Arrogant. Angry. Fatigued. Any safety system that keeps them from killing me or somebody else is a plus.

Of course, the ultimate in safe driving is to take humans out of the loop, and we're slowly but surely doing that.

Every time I'm on an auto forum and some arrogant person declares themself to be a safe driver, I immediately internally label that person as a menace to the driving public. Because arrogance and utter belief in your own perfection is the surest route to an accident.

 

[AZFox]

Safety principles from the motorcycle riding course are applied religiously even though I do not ride.

Without a doubt riding a motorcycle in traffic will tune up your defensive driving skills in general and improve your use of Road Strategy in particular.

By road strategy I mean doing things like riding / driving in the gaps (away from clusters of vehicles) because when there are no cars near you your ability to avoid a collision improves quite a bit.

There's a lot you can do, including some things you wouldn't think of on your own. This YouTube channel is a good resource:
MCrider - Motorcycle Training

 

[thommeigh]

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.

I fully agree with this. Properly adjusted mirrors are most important, and BSW is a useful safety feature to have on top of this. I don't think that lacking BSW would make the Slate a deal breaker for me, but what I'm struggling with the most after reading this whole thread is the old school method for adjusting the exterior mirrors... That will get old really quickly in a household with more than 1 driver, as others have pointed out. Especially because I know how crazy fingerprints on the mirror glass will make me...

A potential fix could be installing a dash cam with digital rearview mirror functionality - I put this one in my current vehicle, installing the rear-facing camera that feeds the mirror inside my rear window. It has a surprisingly wide field of view, meaning that my rearview mirror/camera can see my blind spots better than my sideview mirrors. If I did something similar in the Slate, mounting the camera inside the back glass in the pickup configuration (so, not at the very back of the vehicle), it would afford an even wider view to the rear, including blind spots.

 

[phidauex]

I fully agree with this. Properly adjusted mirrors are most important, and BSW is a useful safety feature to have on top of this. I don't think that lacking BSW would make the Slate a deal breaker for me, but what I'm struggling with the most after reading this whole thread is the old school method for adjusting the exterior mirrors... That will get old really quickly in a household with more than 1 driver, as others have pointed out. Especially because I know how crazy fingerprints on the mirror glass will make me...

A potential fix could be installing a dash cam with digital rearview mirror functionality - I put this one in my current vehicle, installing the rear-facing camera that feeds the mirror inside my rear window. It has a surprisingly wide field of view, meaning that my rearview mirror/camera can see my blind spots better than my sideview mirrors. If I did something similar in the Slate, mounting the camera inside the back glass in the pickup configuration (so, not at the very back of the vehicle), it would afford an even wider view to the rear, including blind spots.

That young couple is having a grand time. I'm sure if I installed the camera I'd feel the same way.

Can the camera be mounted outside of the vehicle, on top of the cab? That could be an interesting viewpoint, and would help with the lack of rear mirror visibility that comes from having stuff in the back of the truck.

 

[thommeigh]

That young couple is having a grand time. I'm sure if I installed the camera I'd feel the same way.

Can the camera be mounted outside of the vehicle, on top of the cab? That could be an interesting viewpoint, and would help with the lack of rear mirror visibility that comes from having stuff in the back of the truck.

Haha yes, that could be you!!

Theoretically, yes you can install it wherever you like. It's intended to be installed on the exterior of the vehicle, but I figured it would be less obstructed by rain and road crud inside my car, behind the back glass, and I've been happy with it. So yeah, you'd just need to plan for running the wire to the camera - and make sure it wouldn't get knocked off or anything like that.

 

[phidauex]

Haha yes, that could be you!!

Theoretically, yes you can install it wherever you like. It's intended to be installed on the exterior of the vehicle, but I figured it would be less obstructed by rain and road crud inside my car, behind the back glass, and I've been happy with it. So yeah, you'd just need to plan for running the wire to the camera - and make sure it wouldn't get knocked off or anything like that.

Thanks, interesting thought. I'm certaintly not afraid of drilling holes in a vehicle - in fact I don't think I actually own a vehicle until I've drilled my first hole somewhere in the outer envelope. Its like getting a tattoo - shows commitment.

 

[Letas]

As an USAF aviator for 20 years, I had to study accident causality, human factors, and human failure modes extensively. And I got to witness my share of accidents and deaths. There was always a chain of events, and there was almost almost a failure of one or more "infallible in their own minds" hunab beings.

Drivers are far worse. Absolutely untrained. Arrogant. Angry. Fatigued. Any safety system that keeps them from killing me or somebody else is a plus.

Of course, the ultimate in safe driving is to take humans out of the loop, and we're slowly but surely doing that.

Every time I'm on an auto forum and some arrogant person declares themself to be a safe driver, I immediately internally label that person as a menace to the driving public. Because arrogance and utter belief in your own perfection is the surest route to an accident.

Illusory superiority… the amount of drivers who I’d truly call “good” or safe is a small fraction of the people who claim to be good. I’m smart enough to know I’m not the best driver on the road, And have just been lucky to not have been in a major accident up until this point.