How to Judge the Distance Behind by Rearview Mirrors?
2 Answers
Methods for judging the distance behind by rearview mirrors: Standard for adjusting rearview mirrors: Adjust the rearview mirrors properly. The standard for adjusting the side mirrors is to be able to see the door handles of your own rear doors, with the height of the door handles at the middle of the mirrors. Safe zone position in the rearview mirror: If the rear vehicle is in the safe zone and located in the center of the rearview mirror, it indicates a distance of approximately 15,000 mm to 20,000 mm from the rear vehicle, allowing normal turning operations. Non-safe zone position in the rearview mirror: If the rear vehicle occupies half of the rearview mirror area and only half of its body is visible, it indicates a very close distance to the rear vehicle. Maintain the current lane and do not turn.
Judging the distance of vehicles behind me using the rearview mirror has been my driving habit for years. I mainly estimate the distance by observing the size changes of the following vehicle in the mirror. Generally, if the rear vehicle appears very small in the mirror, like a distant dot, it indicates a distance of possibly over 50 meters. If the rear vehicle grows to almost fill the mirror, the distance is likely only 10-20 meters, and extra caution is needed when changing lanes or braking. I also adjust the mirror angles to reduce blind spots, such as aligning the car's front with the distant horizon to maintain a clear view. In actual driving, I often encounter situations where the rear vehicle follows too closely. In such cases, I slow down in advance to avoid sudden braking. Additionally, during rain or at night, poor reflection can affect judgment, so I always quickly turn my head to confirm blind spots. Safety first is key, and these methods help me avoid rear-end collisions. Once these habits are formed, judgment becomes intuitive, but beginners are advised to practice more in low-speed environments to improve observation.
