The Overlooked Flaws of Blind Spot Monitors

Blind spot monitors are warning systems intended to detect vehicles behind, or adjacent, to yours while driving.  These devices light up when they detect another vehicle in the blind spot and use a sound to alert drivers who attempt to make an unsafe lane change or merge. 

However, these monitors can experience flaws and malfunctions. When they do, the risk of an accident occurring increases, especially because many modern vehicles come equipped with them, making drivers become reliant on them as opposed to checking their own blind spots.

How Do Blind Spot Monitors Function? 

All blind spot monitors function on two main components—sensors and indicators. Sensors act as a visual aid that senses the environment using cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors. Indicators notify the driver of potential danger by using lights and sounds, with some capable of showing what the potential danger is.  

Vehicles equipped with a center screen will typically also display a visual image of what the blind spot looks like, further enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Other vehicles may come with various alert systems to assist drivers. For instance, some blind spot monitors feature Automatic Emergency Steering (AES), which shakes the steering wheel to provide a tactile alert and signal to the driver that they are making an unsafe turn. Moreover, monitor systems with Automatic Emergency Brake systems (AEBs) will employ the brakes in the event of an emergency or driver’s failure to brake in time to avoid a potential collision. 

Blind spot monitors decrease the number of lane-changing crashes and crash injuries. The rate of all crashes was 18% lower for vehicles equipped with blind spot monitors, and the rate of injury-causing crashes for these same vehicles decreased by 24%. Although this proves their effectiveness, there are still flaws with these systems. 

Where are Blind Spot Monitors Located on my Vehicle? 

Blind spot monitors are usually located behind your vehicle’s rear bumpers. However, other common locations include inside of a vehicle’s parking sensors, in the taillights, or in the quarter panel located behind the bumper cover itself. 

What are the Flaws of Blind Spot Monitors? 

While blind spot warning systems provide numerous advantages to drivers, there are some drawbacks. For example, some systems operate inefficiently when vehicles move lower speeds. This highlights one limitation of these systems, as they may fail to warn a driver who is at risk of a low-speed accident. Low-speed accidents can still cause significant damage and injuries, so blind spot warning systems that can operate effectively at low-speeds are crucial to driver safety. 

Another drawback of some systems is the visual warning light itself. This light is typically small and located in the side-view mirror of the vehicle. This light can be difficult for a driver to see, especially in inclement weather or when exposed to bright lights. However, some vehicles come equipped with larger warning lights mounted in more optimal viewing locations, such as on the side-mirror mount or the windshield pillar. These larger lights in better locations make it far easier to detect potential dangers. 

For some vehicles, audible alerts only trigger when the driver has engaged their turn signal. The flaw with this is that some drivers fail to use their turn signals, thus placing them in a situation where they cannot detect oncoming dangers without manually checking their blind spots. Moreover, poor weather conditions like ice, snow, and heavy rain can cover the embedded sensors, causing them to malfunction and fail to detect potential dangers accurately.  

Additionally, these systems cannot always detect smaller motor vehicles—like motorcycles—due to their smaller profile and how much closer they are to the ground than most other vehicles. Motorcycles also tend to maneuver in ways that larger vehicles cannot. This makes it far more difficult for blind spot monitors to accurately detect their movements, especially if they are in a lane next to you or positioned near the rear end of your vehicle. 

Can I Rely Solely on my Vehicle’s Blind Spot Monitors? 

Although these systems are implemented to aid drivers, they should never be solely relied on due to the potential drawbacks associated with them. Even with blind spot monitors, driver attentiveness remains crucial at all times. These systems are intended to complement, not replace, safe driving practices. Drivers should always check their mirrors and blind spots to ensure no other motor vehicles are in their blind spots before switching lanes. 

Can I Install Blind Spot Monitors Myself? 

If your vehicle is not already equipped with blind spot monitors, you can install them yourself. While factory-installed systems tend to be more reliable, carefully installing them yourself is possible and may prove to be beneficial to your safety while driving. Adding this modern technology to older vehicles can significantly increase reaction time while also fostering a newfound sense of safety for you and your passengers alike. However, it is important that you still remember to always practice safe driving habits—even with blind spot monitors installed. 

If You’ve Been Injured, Call The Barnes Firm 

In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, you may be left severely injured and wondering what to do next. As medical bills pile up and insurance adjusters offer you settlements far less than the true value of your claim, your stress levels increase and impede your recovery. 

When you choose The Barnes Firm to handle your case, you gain a trusted ally ready to defend your rights and help you get the best result possible. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our team will focus on investigating your case, holding liable parties accountable, and getting the best outcome possible. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 to discover the true value of your personal injury case. It could be the best call you make.  

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
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