Blind spot alert: Understanding car safety tech on the road
What does a flashing light in the side mirror mean? What does it indicate to the driver of such a car, and what does it signal to the person driving in the adjacent lane? It's worth understanding how advanced safety systems in cars operate, even if our car doesn't have them.
The blind spot detection system is one of the simplest yet most useful electronic systems for enhancing daily safety. When driving next to another car on the motorway or approaching a vehicle in the right lane from the left lane, you may notice a flashing amber or red light on the left mirror of that vehicle. It is often located on the side of the mirror. This light signals to the driver that you are approaching and warns them that they might not notice you.
This is how the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) works: It aims to alert the driver about objects in the vehicle's blind spot, which is an area that the driver cannot see in the usual way, through mirrors or by turning their head.
This system monitors a larger area because it's designed to alert about vehicles that might soon enter the blind spot. It is believed to cover the area from the middle pillar (B pillar) to several metres behind the car. BLIS does not inform about vehicles directly in the same lane, meaning those approaching from behind.
The purpose of this system is to prevent a collision that might occur if the driver equipped with such a system decides to change lanes. Despite the clarity of the signal, it doesn't mean that the driver will certainly not make the manoeuvre, so seeing such a light in another car's mirror is also a warning: this driver doesn't see you.
It's worth paying attention to indicators, which are placed on mirrors in many cars and can be confused with the BLIS system lights, especially from behind. These lights are exceptionally similar to those in car mirrors like the Seat Leon. If a driver activates the left indicator while driving next to you, they probably don't see you or are waiting for you to let them pass.
