7) Lane-Departure Warning (LDW) and Steering Assist
Most LDW systems use cameras to look for lane makers and monitor where you’re at in your lane. If you start to stray over the line without signaling, you’ll feel a vibration in the steering wheel, seat or hear an audible warning tone. More advanced systems, called “Lane-Keeping-Assist” (LKA), will apply the brakes or slightly nudge the steering wheel to get you to adjust back over into your lane if your wandering.
LDW systems tend to be more useful on highways than on winding, tight country roads, where they tend to warn you too often. CR also prefers the systems that make corrections by alerting you through the steering wheel and not the brake system.
8) Blind Spot Monitoring and Assist
This type of technology uses cameras or radars to look (scan) the areas you can’t easily see behind and beside you. The system looks for vehicles lurking or entering your blind zones. When a vehicle is detected, an icon is illuminated in or near the appropriate side-view mirror.
If signaling while a vehicle is in your blind spot, some systems will send a louder or stronger alert, such as a louder audible tone or blinking light. Newer, more advance systems will help keep you from changing lanes by applying the brakes on the appropriate side of the vehicle.
Blind spot monitoring systems are a great safety feature and tend to be very helpful for drivers.