How to Determine the Distance to the Rear of the Vehicle in Front?
2 Answers
With a normal driving posture, observe the vehicle in front through the lower edge of the windshield. When you can just see the upper edge of the right front headlight of the vehicle in front, the closest distance is approximately 10 centimeters. When you can see the upper edge of the left rear trunk corner of the vehicle in front, the closest distance is about 5 centimeters. When you can see the logo at the center of the rear of the vehicle in front, the closest distance is roughly 2 centimeters. Here is some relevant information: 1. Precautions: If you are driving, you can check the left and right distances through the rearview mirrors. If you notice a larger gap on the left, slightly turn the steering wheel to the left. If the gap is larger on the right, adjust the steering wheel to the right. Remember to make minor adjustments to avoid collisions with adjacent vehicles due to excessive movement. 2. Tips: Sometimes, it can be challenging to maintain balanced left and right distances while driving due to complex real-world conditions. Therefore, when adjusting distances using the rearview mirrors, always consider the actual road conditions. The minimum requirement is to avoid driving over the lane markings.
After driving for so many years, I believe judging the distance to the car ahead relies on experience and habit. On city roads, I often use the rearview mirror to observe: if I can see the entire rear bumper of the car in front, the distance is usually around 20-30 meters, which is very safe; when only part of the bumper or the exhaust pipe is visible, it's already within 10 meters, and I need to slow down immediately. On highways, the 'three-second rule' works even better—I pick a fixed point and count three seconds after the car ahead passes it before I reach the same spot, ensuring a buffer zone. In rain or snow, I double this time because braking distances are longer. I often use reference points like utility poles or sidewalk markings, which are intuitive and reliable. With enough practice, it becomes second nature, without needing to overthink it. Safety is paramount, and developing the awareness to leave enough reaction space can effectively prevent rear-end collisions.
