I just wanted to bump this thread to see to what the current
consensus was on lane change assist.
For context my understanding is that if I indicate lane
change left or right then I will get indication in the appropriate mirror that
there is something approaching, if fast then farther back but if slowly then only
if quite close in (including the blind spot on that side).
My concerns/thoughts on this are:
1. By
the time I indicate then I should know that it is clear to pull over - however I
am fallible and the blind spot can catch me out on a bad day on the busy motorway
or a motor bike overtaking the tractor and 10 other cars in the queue at 90mph
(sorry bikers here I know it is not you)
2. If
it flashes a warning then, yes there is a car that side (is that for sure?) which
I hope 9 out of 10 times I have seen and intend either change lane safely or as
minimum check they are able and willing to allow me to move over
So I would definitely not use it instead of due diligence
but in the two cases above is it truly helpful or is it just something that is flashing
annoyingly under most conditions almost defeating its benefits or even worst
actually misses the cases listed in (1)?Can any users plese comment on how they find it now?
I have it and it would be the first option I would spec on a new car. It
works very well and can work seamlessly with your normal driving
practices. On one occasion, it probably saved me when someone overtook
me, very fast, on the left hand side, just as I was about to move back
innto that lane .
It works slightly differently from your
description. The lights come on at a low brightness when something is
approaching at a speed that would cause a hazard if you were to change
lanes. It spots things moving quickly a long way away. Hard to say how
far but quite a long way. If you then indicate in the direction of the
approaching vehicle, the lights will then flash brightly. So the system
is non-intrusive most of the time, but gets your attention when it needs
to. Ideally, you won't ever see the bright flashing light because you
have seen that vehicle approaching and won't change lanes. However, I
see it more often than I might expect!
My change lane routine is now, check rear view mirror, check door mirror including LCA lights, glance over shoulder, indicate, go.
I like it a lot.