Blind Spot Monitoring System: How to Keep Your Fleet Drivers Safe

Navigating through high-traffic areas in Singapore presents several unique challenges for fleet safety. A fast-paced lifestyle and the pressures of a condensed urban environment can contribute to impatience and frustration on the roads. These issues create the opportunity for fleet drivers to miss important safety steps. One of the vital steps is checking for blind spots, this in turn, can lead to avoiding fatal accidents and increased repair costs. This has called for the need for technology that will help mitigate these risks.‍

Blind spot monitoring technology has become a popular road safety measure in recent years. This technology involves sensors and cameras that help drivers get a full view of their surroundings. Making use of such tools protects drivers from potential hazards, preventing collisions and saving lives. 

Let us have a look at how our blind spot monitors are essential for ensuring smooth operations and improving cost efficiency for commercial vehicles.

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Understanding blind spot detection

When parking, changing lanes, or turning, there are certain areas around the vehicle that the driver cannot see when looking into the rearview or sideview mirrors. These areas are called blind spots. This is the reason why drivers should always turn their heads to check for cars before changing lanes. Blind spots may also occur due to many reasons, such as vehicle size, cargo at the back of the vehicle, seat headrests, and the A-pillar. 

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Let’s take the A-pillar as an example:

Also known as a windscreen pillar, this is the roof support structure found on either side of a vehicle’s windscreen. It is a very thick vehicle component that is designed to make vehicles more aerodynamic and protect drivers from crashes. It also gives room for the airbag. The downside of it is that its thickness can hinder the driver’s visibility, blocking the view of a pedestrian, cyclist, or even smaller cars.

The simplest way to avoid this blind spot is by leaning your head forward to change your viewpoint to see if anything or anyone might be hidden by the pillar. However, that alone is not enough, and this is where the need for blind-spot camera technology comes in.

To help mitigate these risks, vehicle manufacturers and fleet management software providers such as Cartrack offer blind spot monitoring systems (BMS).

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How blind spot monitoring systems work

Blind spot monitoring systems offer assistance through camera technology. The cameras are placed outside, with a connected screen inside the vehicle to help drivers identify vehicles approaching from the side or rear. This technology alerts drivers to any potential hazards while driving, helping reduce side and rear collisions, especially in scenarios where traffic is heavy or speed is a concern. 

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The importance of blind spot monitoring for fleet safety 

In July 2023, video footage of a motorcyclist who was run over by a truck in Jurong went viral on social media. Mothership reported on the matter, explaining how the motorcyclist arrived behind a lorry at a red light, then moved in front of the lorry, placing himself right on the blind spot while waiting for the traffic light to turn green. When the time came for the vehicles to turn right, the lorry driver moved forward, unaware of the motorcyclist’s presence in the blind spot, resulting in the motocyclist being run over by the lorry’s right front wheel. 

This unfortunate accident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance. Blind spots are very dangerous and can lead to fatal accidents if not properly accounted for. 

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Singapore accidents stats

Every year, the Traffic Police release an Annual Road Traffic Situation report, which points out vital traffic-related concerns. Here’s what the report highlighted for the year 2024: 

• Traffic accidents that resulted in fatalities increased by 6.1%.  
• The number of accidents resulting in injuries went up to 7049 cases, a 1.4% increase from the previous year. 
• Two of the main causes of these accidents were failure to keep a proper lookout and lane-changing without due care. 

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The outcomes of this report emphasise the importance of being vigilant on the road and why there is a need for advanced technological measures to help mitigate these risks. 

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Promoting vigilant driving with Cartrack’s solutions

In an effort to promote safer driving habits and help fleet businesses save costs, Cartrack has created the following solutions to assist fleet drivers with the detection of blind spots: 

• External AI cameras
  Our AI Multi Vision camera solution brings you external cameras that can be mounted externally near the driver and passenger doors and at the rear end to cover the areas where the mirrors do not show.
  
  
• In-cabin monitor
  Cartrack offers an in-cabin screen that streams footage of all the cameras installed outside. This gives the driver full visibility of what is happening around the vehicle, eliminating blind spots and helping to prevent accidents.
  
  
• Real-time distracted driving alerts:
  Some blind spots are missed due to driver negligence. This often happens when drivers are distracted. To help combat this, our AI-powered video telematics solutions provide immediate audible alerts whenever they detect the driver’s eyes appear to be off the road, such as when checking the phone. They can also detect when there are visible signs of fatigue or when the driver is not keeping a safe following distance.
  
  
• Monitoring and reporting:
  Our telematics platform collects and analyses fleet vehicle data, giving fleet managers detailed insights into driving behaviours for better decision-making.

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The long-term benefits of blind spot detection for businesses 

• Reduced accidents and insurance costs: Accidents caused by blind spots lead to an increase in the number of insurance claims. As we all know, frequent insurance claims lead to higher insurance premiums. By investing in a blind spot monitoring system, you reduce not only the number of accidents but also your insurance costs in the long run.
  
  
• Improved driver safety culture: Having technology that enhances driver safety fosters better driving habits and creates awareness about the importance of safety within the team.
  
  
• Cost savings: Blind spot monitoring technology helps reduce accidents, which means there will be fewer unexpected and costly vehicle repairs. This also results in less downtime and leads to a more efficient fleet.
  
  
• Regulatory compliance: Singapore’s road safety regulations emphasise the importance of safe driving practices. A good example of this is how heavy vehicles over the weight of 12,000 kg have been required to have extra mirrors or camera systems to assist in detecting blind spots. This specific example highlights how blind-spot monitors help ensure that fleet operators stay compliant with safety regulations.

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The future of fleet safety technology

Research by Future Market Insights revealed that the blind spot detection market size is projected to reach USD 3.13 billion in 2025 and expand to USD 11.49 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% over this period. The growth is driven by the increasing consumer demand for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), rising vehicle safety regulations, and the growing adoption of autonomous driving technologies.‍

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Here are some of the emerging trends found in the report:

• Asia-Pacific regional growth: The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow the most in the blind spot detection market. The market gain in this region is a result of rapid urbanisation, increased vehicle sales, and government regulations for vehicle safety features in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea.
  
  
• ADAS: More vehicle manufacturers are integrating blind spot monitoring technologies with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to enhance driver awareness and reduce accidents. This contributes towards the greater goal of safer driving experiences globally.
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• Artificial Intelligence: AI is enhancing blind spot monitoring systems by improving the accuracy of object detection. From 2025 to 2035, the market will benefit from innovations in AI-powered detection, 360-degree sensor coverage, and integration with autonomous driving technologies.
  
  
• Radar and camera sensors: Blind spot monitoring systems comprise of multiple technologies. However, radar and camera sensors account for the largest share. This is due to their high accuracy and reliability under various weather and lighting conditions. 

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Explore more ways to improve driver safety with Cartrack

Have a look at the complimentary Cartrack features for enhanced driver behaviour monitoring: 

• Coaching
  Not all drivers are properly trained on the importance of observing blind spots. The Cartrack driver coaching platform is designed to assist fleet operators in achieving safer driving habits through proper training. Using video telematics, fleet managers can use visual records of risky driving incidents that keep drivers distracted from identifying blind spots such as cellphone use. Fleet managers can view the incident as well as how many times it was repeated and then schedule the driver to a coaching session. This software also fosters driver accountability.
  
  
• Driver scorecards
  The Cartrack driver scorecards are used to rate driver behaviour based on risky events such as speeding, harsh braking, and harsh cornering. Fleet managers can use these scores to spot aggressive drivers, as well as reward those with higher ratings. 

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Tips for fleet drivers to overcome blind spots

Here are some defensive driving tips to help fleet drivers avoid blind spot accidents:  

1. Proper mirror adjustment: Ensure the side and rearview mirrors are correctly positioned. All three mirrors must be adjusted to provide you with the best field of view from your driving posture. The mirrors should be adjacent to one another, but the views should not overlap.
   
   
2. Perform shoulder checks: Look over your shoulder to spot any vehicle before changing direction. Drivers should always glance over their shoulder before changing lanes, even with blind-spot cameras.
   
   
3. Maintain a safe following distance: Tailgating increases the risk of getting caught in another vehicle’s blind spot, which is why it is important to keep a safe following distance.
   
   
4. Using turn signals early: The two major blind spots of a vehicle are the left and right sides. For this reason, the use of indicators is essential. Turn indicators do not eliminate blind spots but rather alert the drivers on either side of the vehicle of your intentions. This gives the surrounding drivers enough time to react before the lane changes.
   
   
5. Stay aware of other vehicles’ blind spots: Be very cautious around large trucks to avoid being in their blind zones. When overtaking, do not get too close to the vehicle. Overtaking should be done quickly and with caution.
   
   
6. Try to wait: Waiting a few seconds before changing lanes can reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by blind spots.
   
   
7. Utilise technology: Although following all the above-mentioned precautions should be sufficient, equipping your vehicles with blind spot monitoring systems adds an extra layer of protection, further enhancing driver safety. 

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Cartrack helps drivers stay aware of what’s in their blind spots

The role of innovation in shaping the future of fleet safety and Cartrack's commitment to staying ahead of the curve. Our camera solutions are the ideal technology for combating accidents caused by blind spots. By partnering with us, you not only prevent collisions but also save on overall operational costs. Reach out to a fleet consultant today!

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