In addition to Toyota Safety Sense and the Star Safety System, Toyota has a few other safety technologies for drivers to be aware of. Toyota’s Blind Spot Monitoring feature includes a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert to help detect and alert you to vehicles in your blind spot. Let’s take a closer look at how these features work and how you can use them to improve safety on the road.

Using Blind Spot Monitor in Toyota vehicles

To turn on this innovative safety feature, press the BSM button on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. You will hear a sound chime and see the lights illuminate on the side mirrors for a few seconds. While driving, if a vehicle is in your blind spot, the light on that side mirror will light up. If you switch on your turn signal at this time, the light will begin to flash in order to draw your attention and let you know there’s a vehicle there.

What does Rear Cross Traffic Alert do?

Like the Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert helps draw attention to vehicles in your blind spot. This feature, however, detects vehicles that may be crossing your path when reversing out of a parking spot or driveway. It works when you’re backing up at a speed of 5 mph or less, and it can detect vehicles going between 5 and 18 mph from the left or right. If a vehicle is detected, the system plays a warning tone and the light in the respective side mirror will illuminate.

WARNING: Although these features can improve safety in a variety of driving situations, do NOT rely exclusively on them. As with any technology, the Blind Spot Monitoring feature has its limitations in terms of function, detection, and monitoring range. Drivers must always look over their shoulder and use their turn signal.