How to Judge Distance by Looking at the Rearview Mirror in a Car?

[EmmaAnn]

The method to judge distance by looking at the rearview mirror in a car is: 1. Use the center of the rearview mirror as a reference line. When the car body is on the outer side of the reference line and the rear vehicle cannot be fully seen, the distance is 5m; 2. When the rear vehicle can completely appear in the rearview mirror and the car body presses on the reference line, the distance is 10m. The method to adjust the rearview mirror is: 1. Left rearview mirror: Place the horizontal line at the midline position of the rearview mirror, then adjust the edge of the car body to occupy a quarter of the mirror image; 2. Right rearview mirror: Place the horizontal line at two-thirds of the rearview mirror, then adjust the edge of the car body to occupy a quarter of the mirror image.

[OJeremiah]

When I first started learning to drive, I found judging distances through the rearview mirrors the most challenging. My instructor taught me to use the interior rearview mirror: if the car behind completely fills the mirror, it means it's too close, about five or six meters away, requiring extra caution; if the car appears much smaller, occupying only a small portion of the mirror, then it's over ten meters away, which is quite safe. For lane changes, the side mirrors are key: if you can see the entire car clearly in the mirror, appearing very small, it indicates a safe distance; if only half the front or rear of the car is visible, it means the car is close, roughly a car length away, and you shouldn't change lanes hastily. I practiced in an empty parking lot, first estimating distances with the mirrors, then turning my head to confirm the actual distance, gradually developing intuition. Speed also affects this—at higher speeds, the car's image changes quickly, and distances decrease rapidly, so it's important to check the mirrors more frequently. The core of safe driving is consistent practice and not fixating on a single point but maintaining awareness of the whole situation.

[AliceLee]

As a seasoned driver who hits the road daily, judging the distance of vehicles behind me through rearview mirrors has become second nature. The interior rearview mirror shows the overall view directly behind: when the car's reflection appears large and full, it's usually within ten meters, reminding me to maintain distance; when smaller with clear outlines, it's beyond twenty meters, relatively safer. Before changing lanes, I focus on the side mirrors – if the car appears as a small dot in the center circle of the right mirror, it's still far away, allowing a relaxed lane change; once it moves to the edge or occupies more than half of the mirror, it indicates a dangerously close distance, prompting me to halt the maneuver. In rainy or foggy conditions when mirrors are blurry, I use the size of headlights for additional judgment: bright and large lights mean close, while faint ones suggest distance. Experience tells me that referencing lane lines is effective – rapid changes in the relative position of the rear car's tires signal approach. Over years of driving, these little tricks have helped me avoid many close calls, but surprises still happen. Developing the habit of turning my head to check blind spots adds extra safety. Safe driving relies on accumulating these small practices.

[VonDominic]

Adjusting the rearview mirrors while driving is crucial; incorrect positioning leads to misjudged distances. I adjust the interior mirror to see the entire rear window, while the side mirrors are positioned to show just a sliver of the car's body to minimize blind spots. To gauge distance: if the following vehicle appears large and high in the interior mirror, it's close; if it's small and low, it's far. For lane changes, rely on the side mirrors—if the entire car is visible, it's far; if only part is seen, it's close. In rain when mirrors blur, use light intensity as an aid, but remember mirrors have limitations—turning your head for a direct look ensures safety. Practice on low-speed roads like residential areas, first judging via mirrors then verifying with direct glances.