Fitted to almost every Ford as standard, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert forms part of Ford’s new CoPilot360 suite of driver assist features. It uses radars to monitor blind spots when driving and also when reversing out of a car park or driveway, and alerts drivers about dangers they may have not seen or noticed.
BLIS uses two radar sensors located behind each rear wheel to monitor the driver’s blind spots. If it detects a vehicle in either blind spot, it alerts the driver by illuminating an indicator in the wing mirror. The system is automatically engaged when the car is placed in Drive, so there’s no need for the driver to have to remember to set it.
Cross-Traffic Alert uses the same sensors to monitor approaching vehicles when slowly backing out of a parking spot or reversing onto a road. If it detects a vehicle or bicycle approaching from either side, the sideview mirror indicator illuminates and a series of tones sound to warn the driver. The message centre will also flash up a warning, telling the driver that a vehicle is approaching from the left or the right. Again, the system automatically engages when vehicle is placed in Reverse, so the driver doesn’t need to remember to set anything.
“Ford has always put the safety of its customers first with seamless technology that helps take away the stress of driving,” said Jamie Rae, Marketing director, Ford Middle East. “By constantly monitoring driving blind spots – both on the road and when reversing out of carparks with a restricted view of oncoming traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert really has your back, both on the road and in the carpark.”