Blind spot monitor

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Blind spot monitoring is a car system that watches the areas to the driver’s left and right, and behind the vehicle. It can warn you with lights in the mirrors, sounds, vibrations, or other alerts. Some setups also include Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which warns you when backing out of a space if traffic is coming from the sides.

If side mirrors are adjusted correctly, there should be no blind spot on the sides. Many drivers misadjust mirrors by tilting them too far inward, which can create new blind spots. Properly setting mirrors is a cheap, effective way to reduce blind spots without fancy technology. The concept was studied by George Platzer in 1995, who also patented a blind spot monitor, and various car makers have adopted their own versions.

Volvo’s system, called BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), was a standout early example and led Ford to use the same idea under the BLIS branding. Volvo introduced it on the 2003 XC90 and refined it with cameras and radar in the mirror housings to alert drivers when a vehicle enters the blind spot during lane changes.

Mazda was an early Japanese adopter of blind spot monitoring (BSM), starting with the 2008 CX-9 and later adding it to more models such as the CX-5, MX-5, and others.

The idea has also appeared in other ways, including the Ford GT90 concept as an early modern example, and Ford’s mainstream use of BLIS on many models since around 2010. Mitsubishi offers Blind Spot Warning (BSW) on the Pajero Sport (2016), and Nissan/Infiniti added countersteering features to help avoid collisions around 2010.

In short, blind spot monitors help you stay aware of vehicles in the areas you can’t see, making lane changes safer.