A car expert has advised motorists to ensure any vehicle they purchase is fitted with parking sensors, describing the safety tool as essential. The recommendation comes as a study of 2,000 UK drivers found parking sensors to be the technology drivers could not live without.
Why parking sensors are essential
Parking sensors are typically mounted in vehicle bumpers and use sound or electromagnetic fields to detect nearby objects. The system emits a short, sharp beeping sound that quickens in pace as the driver gets closer to an object.
According to the expert, no amount of mirrors can match the power of the beep when reversing, particularly when judging distance. Reversing into a car park, drivers may see a wall or parked car in their mirrors, but it is almost impossible to judge exactly how many inches remain before making contact.
Limitations of cameras
While some modern cars are fitted with reverse 360 cameras, the expert notes that for inexperienced road users, an image on a screen is not enough to accurately determine the distance to a wall or kerb. A solid continuous audio cue tells the driver they have extracted every possible centimetre.
Study findings and costs
A recent study of 2,000 UK drivers conducted by eBay revealed that parking sensors topped the list of technology that UK drivers could not live without. Some 37% rated the sensors as the most essential kit for a vehicle, ahead of USB ports (29%) and Bluetooth (29%).
The benefits can be significant. Hitting another car can affect a car insurance policy, with a typical claim potentially hiking renewal premiums by 10% to 50%, adding hundreds to bills.
For those set on a car without sensors fitted as standard, the expert notes that the safety tool can often be retrofitted from as little as £250 to £500, describing it as a no-brainer at that price point.
