Ford S-Max & Ford Galaxy (2010) get Blind Spot Monitor

Ford are to offer Blind Spot Monitoring on the 2010 Galaxy and S-max

Toys. Toys on cars in particular. You’ve got to love ‘em.

We get more toys to play with on cars with every model revamp. Cars are so clever now it’s not going to be long before we can get in, say where we want to go and get taken. Hang on. We already can. It’s called a cab.

But part of the technology that will probably see cars in cities being driven automatically by ‘Big Brother’ computers before I turn up my driving toes is the advanced radar technology being used for Blind Spot Monitoring and Adaptive Cruise Control. And a sure sign that this technology has matured – and fallen dramatically in cost – is the news that Ford are fitting Blind Spot Monitoring to the 2010 Galaxy and S-Max as a £325 option.

The Ford system uses two radars to monitor a blind zone down both sides of the car from the door mirrors to a point about 10′ behind the back bumper, and outwards by the same distance. If the system senses a vehicle in the blind spot it tells you with a warning light in the door mirror. The system works from as low as 6mph which makes it very useful in urban traffic and on a motorway crawl with motor bikes weaving between lanes.

As well as being offered on the S-Max and Galaxy the blind spot monitoring system will be available on the 2011 Focus and C-Max. And we’ve got to admit that these systems do work, and if you’re a bit lazy and prone to make direction changes without looking over your shoulder then the Blind Spot Monitor is a great aid. But just like nearly all these aids you don’t actually need them.

You just need to drive properly.

By Cars UK