What is Rear Cross Traffic Alert?
There's no excuse for backing blind if your car comes with one of the newest optical safety systems on the marketRear cross traffic alert is a handy feature which assists the driver by alerting them of approaching vehicles when reversing out of car parking spaces.
It's particularly useful when vision is obscured by walls or large vehicles on either side of the car. This driver-assistance technology is frequently offered in conjunction with a blind spot monitoring system with which it shares the same radar based sensors.
Activated when reverse gear is selected, the system monitors traffic approaching from either side of the car. If there is a chance of a collision the driver is alerted to the danger by audible and visual warnings and therefore has enough time to stop the car and hopefully avoid an embarrassing insurance claim, or worse.
Rear cross traffic alert provides additional confidence when manoeuvring by detecting approaching vehicles from up to 50 metres away. Used in conjunction with a reversing camera or 360-degree view system the rear cross traffic alert is part of a cohesive safety system.
When reverse gear is selected small radar sensors concealed within the rear bumper scan the area to the left and right of the vehicle. The system measures and calculates the distance, speed and direction of vehicles which are detected within a range of up to 50 metres.
If the system identifies the risk of a potential collision the driver is alerted with an audible warning which is typically accompanied by an additional visual alert within the reverse camera image.
Like all driver-assistance technologies, rear cross traffic alert isn't a substitute for good driver awareness. It does, however, provide the driver with an additional level of confidence – especially when used in conjunction with camera based manoeuvring aids.
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