Liz Dobson: Blind-spot warning is a safety winner

Blind spot monitoring is a great addition to safety in modern vehicles. Photo / David Linklater

One recent safety feature that's a stand-out for me is blind spot monitoring.

The warning lights on the side mirrors of cars are no longer only a feature of expensive European marques.

The feature has now filtered down to such vehicles as the new Mazda3.

As the name suggests, the function alerts you to vehicles sitting in your blind spots and during my daily commute along a busy four-lane road the symbol spends a lot of time lit up.
It's particularly handy on motorways when I'm trying to change lanes and having to contend with motorists who suddenly decide to move across without indicating.

But a conversation with Driven's resident motorcyclist, Mathieu Day, revealed that commuters on two wheels also appreciate blind spot monitoring.

Mathieu told me that it was reassuring to see the blind spot symbol illuminate as he drove past motorists during his motorway commute.

"I know they can see me and won't suddenly move out in front of me," he said.

I mentioned my appreciation of blind spot monitoring to a motoring colleague, who lambasted my comment.

"If you set your side mirrors correctly and have the curved ones that cover more area, then you don't need blind spot monitoring," he said.

Haters be hatin', but the safety device works both ways: assistance for motorists who have it and reassurance for others on our roads.

• Over the past few weeks, there have been a few changes at Driven and I'm proud to announce that I've been appointed the motoring editor. As 2015 looks to be an even busier year than this one, I'm looking forward to introducing an ever-increasing array of vehicles to you, plus engaging you in some motoring campaigns that can benefit us all.