L.A. Drivers Fear Backing Onto Busy Roads More Than Ghosts, Flying; Ford Showcases Tech to Make Life Easier

[Ford Super News Ticker]

Angelenos worry more about backing out onto a busy street than ghosts or flying – according to a recent survey.

 

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[nv rick]

Over the years, due to accidental (and self-inflicted, lol) bodily abuse, I have lost most of the mobility in my neck. The BLIS, lane keeping assist, back up camera and cross traffic alert on my '14 MKZ-h has made driving less stressful. Many have disparaged some of the newer 'gimmicks', but I believe that these innovations have led to a safer driving environment.

Seeing the commercial of the MKC, I believe, with the front cross traffic camera is making me hope this will be available in the MKZ when I am ready to trade in a few years. This would eliminate my last point of apprehension when at uncontrolled intersections.

[GrySql]

Rick, I know from whence you speak about bodily abuse, as they say 'if I'd known I would get this old I woulda taken better care of myself'.

I like some of these gadgets, but BLIS and front and rear cameras have become very nice safety features. Around here, backing out of a parking spot in a shopping center is becoming difficult, very few people will wait for a car that is already backed half out of the parking slot, they accelerate faster to squeeze thru, such fun. Some have said 'back into the parking spot, it's easier to get out', but that isn't always possible in one-way parking. I'd like to see bigger backup lights.

[machoman1337]

When you have a rearview camera and/or parking sensors, backing in is the smart way. The total # of wheel-turning actions for entry and exit would actually be exactly the same as the total # of actions for if you went front-in and then backed out. But exiting the lot would be much easier. As a bonus, if your car is backed up against a wall and some shady guy is approaching you... you have a nice "shield" with the door.

 

I recognize that some carparks (more common in the US than in Canada) paint the lots so that they're slanted, essentially forcing you to go front-in. My strategy for such carparks would be to park far away from the store entrance to minimize the chances of having a huge minivan or SUV park next to you and make it difficult to see when backing out. Honestly, I think that design should be outlawed!

Edited October 6, 2015 by machoman1337

[nv rick]

Actually, I find parking "front end in" to be a better option for me. If a large SUV parks next to me, I would not be able to see any traffic approaching. With the rear view camera and cross traffic alert, I can see (and hear) if a car is approaching. Hopefully, my next car will have the new front camera as in the new MKC so I'll be able to see traffic if I do back into a parking space.

[machoman1337]

I suppose if you have CTA, going front-in works better since you have an effective radar warning on the rear. I don't have CTA, so going back-in works better as I actually see the road through my eyes while I inch out, compared to the narrow field of view on the rearview camera.

 

BMW has a cool option where cameras are mounted on the two front corners, so you get the ULTIMATE advantage (if you backed in), as you have an ultra-wide field of view (your eyes + the two camera feeds).

[nv rick]

Have you seen the commercial for the new MKC? When at an intersection, you can press a button and the Lincoln emblem in the front pushes out. It has two cameras and gives a 180 degree view on the lcd panel of the intersecting street. When I replace my MKZ, I hope (and assume) that this will be available within a few years on the MKZ.