BLIS - Really?

[Abarth]

Hi,

I can not see the reason for this - but then I havent done more than about 5 miles in the car...

I am thinking that you ALWAYS turn your head before changing lanes, with or without the system

Hence I fail to see why its a good idea??

Come on people with it, tell me what I am missing....

[apersson850]

For people who never fails, none of the systems in the driver support package (not available on the old-fashioned XC90, but on more modern models) are of any use. Not any other safety system either.

But some of us are not perfect, and may on one occasion do a mistake. Then all sorts of assistance is helpful.

[Brodick]

You shouldn't be turning your head to change a lane on a motorway / dual cariageway. (granted there is the odd occasion). But it is mirror, signal, manouver and the Blis system covers your blind spot.

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by Brodick

You shouldn't be turning your head to change a lane on a motorway / dual cariageway. (granted there is the odd occasion). But it is mirror, signal, manouver and the Blis system covers your blind spot.

thank you for wiping out another motorbiker.

reliance on a "gizmo" , when it fails what do you say "oh sorry my gimmick failed ,didnt mean to kill him..just didnt check my blind spots"

[Mrjon]

I have BLIS and continue to turn my head as I've always done to check before changing lanes.
Where I've been really impressed by BLIS is the increased spacial awareness it gives you of vehicles around you.For example you're aware of a vehicle behind moving closer in the out side lane but then as it gets nearer it disappears from your mirrors the BLIS light comes on shortly after reminding you and confirming they're still there.
I also find it useful coming off roandabouts one dual carriageways where I accelerate hard, its nice to know if the car in the left lane is trying to keep pace with me or is slipping behind , without having to glance across.

[wimorrison]

This thread brings to mind a discussion I had recently where we wondered if the proliferation of gadgets and devices in cars are actually detracting from the skills and ability of the drivers rather than enhancing them.

I accept that there are fewer injuries and deaths on the roads despite a significant increase in vehicle volumes but this is mainly down to 3 things, much better brakes, much better vehicle crash design and the obligatory use of seatbelts all round.

I fear that all the other gizmos (I include BLIS amongst them) are no more than gizmos that have been developed to overcome the poor driving standards associated with the divorced feeling that people have whilst driving a car. Have you noticed how many people cannot 'see' out of the side windows in a car - theire vision is limited to directly in front, many people can't hear - because they are on the phone, listening to music, or just ignoring the sounds around them - let alone the people who don't know what all the switches do in a car!

I contend that the comfort and 'safety' of modern cars (don't get me wrong I also enjoy comfort ) has removed people from what they are doing and what they are driving. Many people seem to think that they are driving an extension of their lounge around rather than a highly complex piece of engineering that needs to be directed and controlled using all the available senses and thought processes.

Comments?

[Abarth]

Couldnt agree more, all the comforts in cars these day tend to distract the driver from the job in hand.

I am seriously worried about the 'shouldnt turn your head on the motorway' comment above too!! Try explaining that one to a) your insurance company b) the police or c) the family of the biker you just killed

[Ransman]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

I contend that the comfort and 'safety' of modern cars (don't get me wrong I also enjoy comfort ) has removed people from what they are doing and what they are driving. Many people seem to think that they are driving an extension of their lounge around rather than a highly complex piece of engineering that needs to be directed and controlled using all the available senses and thought processes.

Comments?

I agree, and I regard City Safety the same. The one good thing about CS as far as I can see is that it has resulted in a reduction in the insurance group of the car so I guess that does show it is doing its job but why should it be needed if the driver is paying full attention to the road?

[Matteus XC60]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

I fear that all the other gizmos (I include BLIS amongst them) are no more than gizmos that have been developed to overcome the poor driving standards associated with the divorced feeling that people have whilst driving a car. Have you noticed how many people cannot 'see' out of the side windows in a car - theire vision is limited to directly in front, many people can't hear - because they are on the phone, listening to music, or just ignoring the sounds around them - let alone the people who don't know what all the switches do in a car!

Agree absolutely. Last thing I want in my car is any more things bleeping, flashing, or generally directing my attention away from the road. (Get that enough from the wife and kids. Well, not the 'flashing' obviously. Not to say I didn't ask the wife, but she wasn't having any of it! )

[darbs]

spatial awareness is no more important than it is during rush hour in central london. a bold statement i know, but with push bikes now accounting for about a third of london traffic, and motorbikes weaving in and out of them, you constantly have to be aware of what's around all sides of your car at all times. failing to do so for even 1 second could end up with tragic consequences.

the blind spots on my xc60 are far greater than on my previous car where due to some excellent positioning of mirrors, blind spots were pretty non-existent.

during the first couple of weeks of owning the xc60, i inadvertantly almost wiped out a couple of pushbikes which decided to come up via my inside, trying to undertake me, whilst i was overtaking a bus. at that point i was thinking i could really do with a blind spot indicator. it would really help avoid such situations.

having now lived without it for some time, i have found i have adapted well, and am far more spatially aware. i'm not sure how well BLIS reacts to all types of traffic, but it would have to be pretty damn good to react to several different kinds of vehicle descending on a vehicle, all at the same time. it may be very good at this, but i'm sure it wouldn't be perfect. i feel something like BLIS would make me a bit lazy, and the one time i depend on it solely, that would be the time it doesn't pick something up.

like what's been said on this thread already, it's ineffectiveness, even if only 1 time out of 1000, wouldn't be any defence. in any case, i'm sure volvo have a ton of disclaimers saying it shouldn't replace best practice, and one should always continue to check blind spots manually.