How to Determine the Distance from the Following Vehicle Using the Rearview Mirror?
2 Answers
First, adjust the rearview mirror properly, with the standard being able to see the door handle, and the height of the door handle should be at the middle height of the rearview mirror. Remember the principle: closer objects appear larger, while distant objects appear smaller. In summary, the larger the following vehicle appears in the rearview mirror, the closer it is to your vehicle.
I've been driving for many years and judging the distance of the car behind me relies entirely on the experience accumulated from using the rearview mirror. The basic method is to observe the size ratio of the following car in the mirror: if the entire front of the car, including the bumper and lights, is clearly visible, the distance is usually more than 20 meters away, which is still relatively safe; if the car only occupies half of the mirror or you can only see part of the front, then it's within 10 meters, and you need to pay attention immediately. I often practice this on the highway, such as when a car behind rapidly approaches, it quickly fills the mirror, reminding me to increase the distance. The size of my own car also affects the judgment—when I drive an SUV, the mirror's perspective is wider, making sedans appear closer. Before changing lanes, I use this technique combined with checking the side mirrors to prevent rear-end collisions, ensuring safety and stability.