Patent ID: 6853311

Claim:
An alarm apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising: distance sensor means for detecting an object distance existing rearward of said motor vehicle; vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed of said motor vehicle; traveling direction detecting means for detecting a traveling direction sideward of said motor vehicle; control means for generating an alarm signal on the basis of said object distance, said vehicle speed and said traveling direction; and alarm means driven in response to said alarm signal, wherein said control means includes: time measuring means for measuring a time lapse since a time point of detection of said traveling direction; and alarm range setting means for setting an alarm distance serving as a comparison reference for said object distance, wherein said alarm means is driven when said vehicle speed lies within a predetermined vehicle speed range with said time lapse falling within a predetermined time and when said object distance to an object existing laterally rearward of said motor vehicle as viewed in said traveling direction lies within said alarm distance.