How Do Drivers Judge the Distance Between Cars?
4 Answers
Drivers judge the distance between cars by the following methods: 1. When the upper edge of the rear bumper of the car in front is visible, the distance is 1 meter; 2. When the lower edge of the rear bumper of the car in front is visible, the distance is 2 meters; 3. When the lower edge of the rear tire of the car in front is visible, the distance is 3 meters; 4. If the car's reflection occupies the entire rearview mirror, the distance is 3 meters; if it occupies two-thirds of the rearview mirror, the distance is 5 meters; if it occupies half of the rearview mirror, the distance is 9 meters; if it occupies one-third of the rearview mirror, the distance is 12 meters. Reasons for maintaining distance: 1. To avoid rear-end collisions caused by sudden braking of the car in front; 2. To reserve reaction time for handling emergencies.
When judging the distance between cars while driving, I rely on years of experience to estimate. The simplest method is to observe the position of the taillights of the car in front: if I can see the entire rear tire beneath the windshield, it indicates a distance of about three to four meters, which is quite safe. On highways, I use the 2-second rule: pick a fixed point like a road sign, and after the car in front passes it, count "one second, two seconds" before my car reaches that point, ensuring a buffer space. Also, check the rearview mirror to ensure side cars aren’t too close, otherwise changing lanes can be dangerous. In rainy weather or at night when visibility is poor, I automatically slow down by five to ten kilometers to increase the distance, preventing rear-end collisions and skidding. Even on city roads, I pay attention to leaving space at intersections in case the car behind can’t brake in time. In short, practice and observation will make it second nature—just avoid distractions like staring at your phone.
I just got my driver's license half a year ago, and judging distances was a real headache when I first started learning. My instructor taught me to use the windshield as a reference point: if the rear of the car in front is at the lower edge of my windshield, that's about a one-meter distance. When reversing, I mainly rely on the rearview camera and the beeping sound from the radar—when the car starts beeping, it means I'm getting close, so I stop immediately and check the surroundings. Driving in the city, I've developed a habit of keeping a distance of two car lengths, especially during traffic jams, staying patient and not following too closely to avoid rear-end collisions due to slow reaction times as a beginner. Now, with more practice, I've improved, but I still check if the rearview mirrors are properly aligned before each trip to ensure no one is hidden in the blind spots. On the highway, I've also learned to count seconds to estimate distances, gradually building confidence—safety always comes first.
Safe driving is a top priority for me, and judging the distance between vehicles relies on strictly following the rules. The 2-second interval is the most practical: on the highway, pick a landmark, start counting two seconds from it before driving past, ensuring enough distance to buffer against chain collisions. Use the rearview mirrors in combination, adjusting the angles of both the interior and exterior mirrors so that the side of the car is clearly visible, eliminating blind spots. Vehicle assistance systems like radar or blind-spot monitoring, if activated, make driving even more effortless. In harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain or thick fog, I proactively reduce speed and increase distance, using fog lights to alert others. When stopping at intersections, I also leave escape space to prevent accidents in case of brake failure. Developing a habit of regularly checking tire pressure and brakes ensures smoother overall driving and avoids losing control during sharp turns.
