Estimated real-world safety benefits associated with blind spot monitoring systems in Australasian passenger vehicles

Blind spot monitoring systems help drivers avoid collisions with another vehicle when changing lanes. The systems provide visual and/or haptic warnings; active systems additionally avoid collision by applying brakes or steering the vehicle. This study aimed to estimate real-world effectiveness of these technologies as installed in the Australasian light vehicle fleet in Australasian road and driving conditions. Police-recorded crash data were studied for the years 2019–2023 from the Australian states Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia and also New Zealand. Using quasi-induced exposure analysis, rates of lane change crash involvements were studied for vehicles manufactured from 2018, classified by whether they were fitted with blind spot monitoring systems or not. We found a statistically significant 15% reduction (95% CI 26%-3%) in lane change crashes for vehicles equipped with a blind spot monitoring system. There was indicative evidence that the system was more effective for male than female drivers. For crashes involving injury, the associated reduction was estimated to be larger: a 24% reduction (95% CI 38%-6%). Active systems were rare in our data, but the analysis suggested they may be even more effective than the warning systems. Despite the relatively low prevalence of lane change crashes generally, the estimated 15% reduction is significant. In the Australasian crash data analyzed, older drivers had an elevated rate of lane change crashes and may consequently gain greater benefit from blind spot monitoring systems.