Are the Turn Signals of the Rear Car Reversed in the Rearview Mirror?
3 Answers
When viewed in the rearview mirror, the turn signals of the rear car are not reversed left and right. The rearview mirror produces a mirrored image, reflecting the area behind the car. However, when looking into the rearview mirror, you are viewing from the back towards the front, so the double mirroring effect results in a correct image. If the right turn signal is illuminated in the right rearview mirror, it indicates the rear car is turning right or pulling over. Similarly, if the left turn signal is illuminated in the left rearview mirror, it means the rear car is turning left or overtaking. Below is an extended introduction: Introduction to Car Rearview Mirrors: Car rearview mirrors are located on the left and right sides of the car's front and inside the car's cabin. They reflect the situation behind, beside, and below the car, allowing the driver to indirectly see these areas. They serve as a "second pair of eyes," expanding the driver's field of vision.
I've observed countless times while driving that the turn signals of the car behind me appear reversed in the rearview mirror. The mirror flips the image, so when the car behind signals left, it appears right in the mirror, and vice versa. When I first started driving, I always thought the oncoming car was moving towards me, which was a bit unnerving. This is perfectly normal, just like waving in a mirror where your left and right hands switch directions. Over time, you get used to it as your brain automatically corrects the image. I remember once on the highway, the car behind was signaling left, but it appeared right in the mirror, causing me to misjudge the situation—fortunately, I reacted quickly. I recommend that new drivers practice identifying the actual position of turn signals more often and use side mirrors or blind-spot monitoring to ensure safety. After all, road conditions can change in an instant, so don't rely solely on the rearview mirror. After ten years of driving, this reversal is no longer an issue, but beginners should stay extra vigilant.
I noticed this issue soon after I started learning to drive—the turn signals in the rearview mirror are actually reversed. For example, if the car behind flashes its left turn signal, it appears on the right side in the mirror; conversely, the right signal seems to be on the left in the mirror. At first, I was quite confused—why would the directions get mixed up? Later, when studying the theoretical knowledge, I realized it’s due to the physics of mirror reflection. A mirror flips the image left and right but keeps the top and bottom unchanged, which is why the turn signals appear reversed. After driving a few more times, I naturally adapted to this perception and didn’t need any specialized tools to handle it. My advice to beginners is not to overthink this—focus instead on observing the overall movement of the car behind you and combine it with the mirror’s reflection to anticipate actions. Road safety is the top priority. If you’re ever unsure about a turn signal, slow down to create distance or honk to alert the other driver. Driving is ultimately a skill learned through practice, and with time, it’ll become second nature.