How to Judge the Distance Based on Rearview Mirrors When Reversing?
2 Answers
When reversing, judging the distance based on rearview mirrors mainly involves using the right rearview mirror to judge the distance of the rear vehicle, the left rearview mirror to judge the distance of the rear vehicle, and the interior rearview mirror to judge the distance of the rear vehicle. The specific judgment is made based on the area occupied by the rear vehicle in the rearview mirror, which enhances the driver's vigilance. Here is a detailed analysis: 1. Method to judge the distance of the rear vehicle using the right rearview mirror: (1) If the rear vehicle occupies half of the rearview mirror area, and only half of the vehicle body is visible, it means the rear vehicle is very close, and you should maintain your current lane without turning. (2) If the rear vehicle occupies half of the rearview mirror area, and the entire vehicle is visible, it means the rear vehicle is about 10 meters away. You can signal and turn only when driving at a slow speed. (3) If the rear vehicle occupies one-third of the rearview mirror area, and the entire vehicle is visible, it means the rear vehicle is about 15 meters away, and you can perform a turning operation. 2. Method to judge the distance of the rear vehicle using the left rearview mirror: (1) If the rear vehicle body has entered the danger zone to the left of the dotted line in the rearview mirror, it means the rear vehicle is very close, and you should not turn. (2) If the left side of the rear vehicle body is close to the boundary between the safe zone and the danger zone, you should be vigilant, but signaling and turning is still safe at this time. (3) If the rear vehicle is in the safe zone, located at the center of the rearview mirror, it means the rear vehicle is 15 to 20 meters away, and you can perform a normal turning operation. 3. Method to judge the distance of the rear vehicle using the interior rearview mirror: If the lower edge of the rear vehicle's tire is visible, it means the rear vehicle is about 20 meters away, and the safe speed at this distance is about 25 km/h. If the upper edge of the rear vehicle's headlight is visible, the distance between the rear trunk and the rear vehicle is about 3.5 meters. If the junction between the rear vehicle's hood and the front windshield is visible, the distance between the rear trunk and the rear vehicle is about 1 meter. If the horizontal one-third of the rear vehicle's front windshield is visible, it means the vehicles are very close.
When I first started learning to reverse a car, judging the distance mainly relied on adjusting the rearview mirror's angle. First, ensure the rearview mirrors are set up correctly: the center rearview mirror should cover the entire rear window, and the side mirrors should be tilted outward by about 30 degrees, allowing a clear view of the size changes of objects behind. For example, when an obstacle appears very small in the mirror, the actual distance might still be 3-4 meters; if it starts to fill the mirror, especially nearing the mirror's edge, then it's only 1-2 meters away, and it's time to slow down or stop. Reference points are crucial: I look at the parking lines or wheel tracks on the ground—if the rear wheels are close to them, it indicates a distance of about 0.5 meters. During practice, I found an open space and had a partner stand behind the car, practicing distance estimation through the mirror, gradually developing intuition. Remember, reversing should be done slowly, with frequent checks of blind spots on both sides—safety comes first.
