How to judge left and right distances for novice drivers?
4 Answers
Novice drivers can judge left and right distances by using the positions of the left and right wipers as reference points. When the protruding node of the left wiper aligns with an object on the ground, the left wheel will run over that object while moving. Similarly, when the line of sight intersects the right wiper and a target, the right wheel will run over that target. More details on judging distances are as follows: 1. Judging the position of the left wheel: It is necessary to know where the left wheel will run over to avoid the tire pressing on solid lines or dodging potholes and stones on the road. When the driver's line of sight aligns the protruding node of the left wiper with an object on the ground, the left wheel will run over that object while moving. 2. Judging the position of the right wheel: When the driver's line of sight intersects the right wiper and a target, the tire will run over that target. Driving 60 cm from the roadside on the right: When the right washer nozzle overlaps with the target on the roadside, the body of the car is still 60 cm away from the roadside. Parking on the right side: When the node of the right wiper aligns with the roadside, slightly pulling the steering wheel to the left can achieve the effect of parking 10 cm away from the roadside.
I was quite nervous about the left and right distances when I first started driving. My coach taught me a simple trick: adjust the rearview mirror so you can see a tiny bit of the car's edge, which helps judge how far other vehicles are from you. In daily driving, check your mirrors frequently and pay attention to the gap between your car and obstacles. For example, if an object fills half of your right mirror when turning right, it's about one meter away. Beginners are advised to practice in empty parking lots, driving close to the marked lines without crossing them to get a feel for the car's position. Reference points are also crucial—like aligning the wipers with the curb to gauge your lateral position. Don’t drive too fast; slow down to build spatial awareness. Safety first—if unsure, slow down or stop to check. A few days of practice will boost your confidence. Remember, get used to your car’s width gradually—don’t rush to master everything at once.
When learning to drive, I also struggled with judging left and right distances. A simple trick is to adjust the side mirrors so that a small portion of the car body is visible, which helps estimate gaps. While driving on the road, frequently glance at the mirrors to develop the habit. For example, observing the size change of roadside objects in the right mirror can indicate their distance. Don't be afraid to go slow during the beginner phase. Find a safe place like a residential parking lot to practice: drive straight along the lines to feel the wheel positions; when parallel parking, get out to check and compare with the view while driving to reinforce memory. Reference points like aligning the corner of the car hood with obstacles can help judge distances easily. The sense of car dimensions comes from repeated practice—don't rely solely on parking sensors, train yourself through actual observation. After a few days, you'll be able to judge distances effortlessly and avoid scratches.
Adjust the side mirrors properly to see the distance on both sides, leaving a bit of the car body visible for easier distance estimation. Observe the mirrors frequently while driving; when objects fill the mirror, it means they are close. Beginners should practice driving along lines in open areas to develop a sense of wheel position. Drive slowly on the road and use the wipers or hood as references to judge distance. If your spatial awareness is poor, practice parking in reverse to improve. Safety is paramount—stop if unsure.
