Parking assist system

A back-up system (100) for aiding a driver in backing a motor vehicle (10) performs a number of functions when a motor vehicle (10) is placed in a reverse direction. Initially, an image of an area at the rear of the motor vehicle (10) provided by a camera (140) is visually displayed on a monitor (120), which is positioned so as to be visually accessible by a driver of the motor vehicle (10). Then, a distance to an object that is within a path of the motor vehicle (10) is sensed with a radar sensor (124). Next, a warning is provided when the object is within a predetermined collision distance. Finally, when the motor vehicle (10) is placed in a forward direction, the display of the image on the monitor (120) is discontinued.