Blind Spot Monitoring Sound?

[coopny]

The perspective on safety features here is interesting. I like safety features, when implemented properly. Yet at the same time, I fully hear the arguments from others who say "I don't need them, why should I pay for them". When safety features are highly incentivized, considered standard/essential, or are mandated - then people who buy base model cars (individuals or fleets) will have them. That trickles down to people who go into the used market.

In terms of safety features, a few things to bear in mind:

1. Not all drivers are competent, and many overestimate their competence.
2. You can be a competent driver and suffer from the incompetence of another driver.
3. Originally seat belts were considered an overbearing safety feature and are now considered essential. Airbags too.

In terms of hoping that driver assistance systems and tech march back - the industry is against it for a few reasons.

The government - the NHTSA - is concerned about vehicle safety. They are mainly concerned about how well a vehicle protects its occupants. It is a noble goal. It is an important goal.

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) on the other hand - their goal is more broad. Insurance companies don't just pay for the car you're in and if you're injured - they pay for the damage to the guy you rear ended. They pay if the guy you rear ended claims whiplash (an easy five to six figure claim in New York, at least). They pay if you hit a pedestrian and that pedestrian dies, or is injured for life, or temporarily.

This is why backup cameras, pre-collision mitigation braking etc. are not going away...

Thankfully, they are trickling down as some "luxuries" remain options or trimmed up. I was in a Toyota in 2017 that had a manual drivers seat but had adaptive cruise control and blindspot monitoring.

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[Meanderthal]

1. Not all drivers are competent, and many overestimate their competence.

80% of people believe they are a better than average driver. Of that 80%, at least 30 must be wrong.

Then again, 68% of all statistics are made up.

 

[Glamdring70]

I really only have one more thing to say about BLIS beeps.

 

[Bucko]

In all your years of driving have you ever made a mistake? Cut someone off, almost hit a vehicle in front of you, almost hit a pedestrian etc. Schit happens. Most mistakes can be saved by alerts. There is no disputing that. People didn't wear seatbelts in the past too or have airbags surrounding them..

Sure I have. However that does not mean I expect a cost (in any way) be expected by others to cover for my mistake or lack of concentration. If I did it all the time, then I fall into the stupid category. I don’t do it all the time.

 

[Bucko]

If we want to see better safety requirements, lets push for tougher drivers license training.

Ironically, I'm driving home last night, and stopped at a red light behind one car. Light turns green, and the car in front of me begins to drive forward. A 18 wheeler blows through a red light and forces the car in front of me to swerve to the right, and hits the car next to her. I stop to offer assistance, and wait until the police arrive. The driver was an elderly person, and shook up. The truck driver? Never came out of his vehicle until the police arrive.

I offered my dash cam memory module to the officer, and provide my name as a witness.

Would a sensor or beep help out here? Nope. The truck driver was ignorant of anyone else in this situation. Beeps and sensors are perhaps good to have, but at my cost? Nope. Would not help a large majority of drivers anyhow.

And I don't have any documented proof of my last statement.

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