How to Judge the Distance Between Front, Rear, Left, and Right Vehicles While Driving?
3 Answers
Methods to judge the distance between front, rear, left, and right vehicles while driving are: 1. When the lower edge of the rear wheel of the front vehicle aligns with the lower edge of the windshield, the distance is approximately 3 to 5 meters; 2. When the lower edge of the front vehicle's bumper aligns with the lower edge of the windshield, the distance is about 2 meters; 3. When the upper edge of the front vehicle's bumper aligns with the lower edge of the windshield, the distance is roughly 0.5 to 1 meter. Precautions for driving include: 1. Maintain a good driving mindset; 2. Strictly adhere to traffic regulations; 3. Control the steering wheel properly while driving; 4. Perform vehicle maintenance before departure; 5. Exercise caution during night driving; 6. Drive slowly when reversing; 7. Estimate the following distance based on the driving speed.
When driving, I rely on experience and daily habits to judge the distances to vehicles around me. For the left-side distance, I observe the size of the adjacent vehicle through the left window; if it appears to be getting smaller, it means it's getting closer, especially during high-speed lane changes—I always take an extra glance at the rearview mirror to confirm. If the rearview mirror shows the rear wheels looking smaller, it indicates the vehicle is farther away. For the distance in front, I prefer using fixed markers on the road, such as utility poles or road markings, to gauge. When following a car, I maintain a two-second gap—meaning after the car in front passes a point, I count two seconds before passing it myself to ensure safety. The right and rear distances are judged similarly, often relying on side mirrors and adjusting seat angles to avoid blind spots. After developing the habit of regular checks, I feel more confident in rain or at night, reducing the risk of scratches. Remember, practice makes it intuitive—don’t just rely on feeling.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and I'm most afraid of blind spot accidents when judging distances. I first use the side rearview mirror to observe vehicles behind me on the left; if I can't see the entire front of the car, I won't rush to turn. For the distance in front, I follow the three-second rule: pick a landmark, start counting seconds when the car in front passes it, and if my car passes it after three seconds, it's OK. The distance on the right is assisted by the rearview mirror and reversing camera, keeping the edge of the car about a foot away from the curb. I practice adjusting my position on open roads a lot, and during the beginner stage, I often install a dash cam to record data, helping me review and improve. Safety first—before every start, I silently remind myself to take it slow and not accelerate too quickly.
