Slate not likely to be a top safety pick by Consumer Reports (due to lack of BSW)

[cadblu]

While I am not a fan of Consumer Reports in general, I know many folks look to them for research before purchasing a new vehicle. According to a recent study, 82% of new car buyers consider Blind Spot Warning (BSW) an important feature to have on their next vehicle. Even though the Slate is marketed with an emphasis on safety, it appears they have deliberately left out BSW technology.

"CR emphasizes that safety should not be a luxury and that consumers want proven safety technologies like BSW in their vehicles. CR calls on automakers to make BSW a standard feature across all trim levels. Doing so would eliminate the additional costs to consumers and ensure that this technology is available to help prevent fatalities and injuries and reduce the economic burdens associated with avoidable crashes."

For this reason, it is highly unlikely that Slate will be rated a "top safety pick" by Consumer Reports.

Full article here:
Autos Fail to Provide Blind Spot Warning as Standard Feature

 

[sodamo]

True, in the past if CR didn’t like a product for any reason, getting good ratings was a challenge.

 

[Adam W]

It's a small single cab pickup. I can't imagine there's much of a blind spot anywhere around this vehicle. Until you add the SUV kit anyway. That said, I DO want everyone else on the road to have blind spot warning because the situational awareness of most drivers is abysmal.

 

[GaRailroader]

3 potential solutions for blind spots.

1. Buy those little round stick on convex mirrors from Autozone that give you visibility of your blind spots.
2. Adjust your mirrors so there is just a small amount of overlap between rear view and side mirrors. Normally we like side view mirrors aimed down the side of the vehicle. If you orient them in this wide fashion you can see vehicles in your rear view mirror, drive in to your side view mirror and as they are exiting the side view mirror it comes in to your view directly out your side window.
3. Look over your shoulder when you change lanes to confirm no one is in your blind spot.

 

[sodamo]

3 potential solutions for blind spots.

1. Buy those little round stick on convex mirrors from Autozone that give you visibility of your blind spots.
2. Adjust your mirrors so there is just a small amount of overlap between rear view and side mirrors. Normally we like side view mirrors aimed down the side of the vehicle. If you orient them in this wide fashion you can see vehicles in your rear view mirror, drive in to your side view mirror and as they are exiting the side view mirror it comes in to your view directly out your side window.
3. Look over your shoulder when you change lanes to confirm no one is in your blind spot.

You mean actually, actively drive?

 

[E90400K]

If you know how to properly adjust the mirrors, there are no blind spots. And if you constantly keep scanning traffic on all sides of the car using all three mirrors, you'll not need blind spot detection.

 

[E90400K]

You mean actually, actively drive?

You and your crazy ideas!

 

[AZFox]

Buy those little round stick on convex mirrors from Autozone that give you visibility of your blind spots.

A convex JDM "Broadway Mirror" from eBay enhances visibility and reduces blind spots effectively.

It looks a little goofy (at first) and won't attach to some phat mirrors, but if it fits on your mirror you'll leave it on and wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

 

[Trace26]

I'm hoping it's at least an option. I'm pretty good at checking before changing lanes but we're all human and make mistakes. Something to warn me before I'm dumb.