The safety features of today have come a long way from just padding and seatbelts. Nowadays, the technology released by auto manufacturers is becoming more and more advanced. Some may even start to implement radar in cars, if a recently released report can be trusted. As the story goes, beginning February 2009, Mazda may be adding a Rear Vehicle Monitoring System (RVMS) as standard on every European Mazda 6 Sport model.

The system utilizes two sensors mounted facing rearward that detect vehicles behind and to the sides of the fitted car. It will alert the driver when there is a car in the blind spot just off the rear of the quarter panels, and even provide a warning if there is a vehicle approaching at a rapid pace. The RVMS will also notify the driver of any vehicle, within 150 feet rear of the car that is approaching at more than 36 miles per hour. This should help drivers to anticipate cars that will be in the blind spot area by the time a lane change is initiated. All of these indications are given through a small speaker near the A-pillar, in the form of a warning tone.
 
Though the report and the extent in which this safety feature will be fitted have yet been confirmed by Mazda, the system may help reduce the high number of accidents occurring while performing lane change maneuvers.

+ Motor Authority: Mazda implementing rear-facing radar system from 2009