Photo: Ford
Ford’s latest driver assistance feature is called Exit Warning, and it’s meant to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists, scooter riders and even pedestrians. The technology will be available to customers this summer on all variants of the all-new 2024 Mustang.
The way this works is pretty straightforward. If the system detects a so-called “vulnerable road user” approaching your 2024 Mustang, it will warn you before you get the chance to open the door.
While the vehicle is in Park, the Exit Warning system will use radar sensors positioned at the rear to identify road users traveling at least 4 miles per hour (6.4 kph), which is roughly 1/3 the speed of the average cyclist. If a vulnerable individual is detected and the system believes they could be impacted by your car’s door, Exit Warning will send you both audio and visual alerts via Ford SYNC – using the instrument cluster as well as the side mirror.
Furthermore, the system will remain active for up to 3 minutes after the ignition is switched off, and this includes the audio and visual alerts in the cluster and on the touchscreen display.
That being said, Ford is adamant in reminding us that all driver assist features are supplemental and should not replace a driver’s actual attention, judgement and control of the vehicle. The safest way to drive is always to remain vigilant at all times.
According to the NHTSA, cycling accidents are most common between June and September, which means the Blue Oval couldn’t have picked a better time to unveil this technology and remind drivers to watch out for vulnerable road users – not just on the move, but also while stationary.
Here’s an interesting statistic: around one in ten incidents involving bicycles and cars take place because of a door being opened in the path of an oncoming cyclist. These types of accidents can produce both minor and major injuries, and in rare cases, even fatalities – just imagine if a cyclist isn’t wearing a helmet and then he or she is sent flying through the air because some driver didn’t check the rearview mirror before opening the door.
Even with a helmet and full protective gear, such impacts can be extremely dangerous. You never know how you’re going to land once you begin falling, nor exactly what objects you’re going to hit on your way down.
As for why these types of accidents keep happening, on the one hand, we have inattentive drivers at fault. However, cyclists have been known to travel very close to cars that are parked on the side of the road, as bicycle lanes aren’t always readily available. Going forward though, it’s good to know that the 2024 Ford Mustang will be keeping an eye out for vulnerable road users.
While the vehicle is in Park, the Exit Warning system will use radar sensors positioned at the rear to identify road users traveling at least 4 miles per hour (6.4 kph), which is roughly 1/3 the speed of the average cyclist. If a vulnerable individual is detected and the system believes they could be impacted by your car’s door, Exit Warning will send you both audio and visual alerts via Ford SYNC – using the instrument cluster as well as the side mirror.
Furthermore, the system will remain active for up to 3 minutes after the ignition is switched off, and this includes the audio and visual alerts in the cluster and on the touchscreen display.
That being said, Ford is adamant in reminding us that all driver assist features are supplemental and should not replace a driver’s actual attention, judgement and control of the vehicle. The safest way to drive is always to remain vigilant at all times.
According to the NHTSA, cycling accidents are most common between June and September, which means the Blue Oval couldn’t have picked a better time to unveil this technology and remind drivers to watch out for vulnerable road users – not just on the move, but also while stationary.
Here’s an interesting statistic: around one in ten incidents involving bicycles and cars take place because of a door being opened in the path of an oncoming cyclist. These types of accidents can produce both minor and major injuries, and in rare cases, even fatalities – just imagine if a cyclist isn’t wearing a helmet and then he or she is sent flying through the air because some driver didn’t check the rearview mirror before opening the door.
Even with a helmet and full protective gear, such impacts can be extremely dangerous. You never know how you’re going to land once you begin falling, nor exactly what objects you’re going to hit on your way down.
As for why these types of accidents keep happening, on the one hand, we have inattentive drivers at fault. However, cyclists have been known to travel very close to cars that are parked on the side of the road, as bicycle lanes aren’t always readily available. Going forward though, it’s good to know that the 2024 Ford Mustang will be keeping an eye out for vulnerable road users.
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