How to Judge the Distance Between the Right Side of the Car and Obstacles?
4 Answers
Methods to judge the distance between the right side of the car and obstacles: 1. Height: Mainly estimated based on the comparison of the blocked height. 2. Distance from the roadside: Determine the position of the roadside in the windshield (the left wheel is 10-15cm to the right from the left pillar of the windshield; the right wheel is 5-10cm to the left from the center line of the windshield); the distance from the roadside can be seen from the rearview mirror. 3. Right wheel position: Determine the position of the right wheel (middle of the front of the car or right wiper): relative to the ground at one-third of the right side of the front cover. 4. Three-point alignment: When the eyes, the front edge of the car hood, and the point where the obstacle touches the ground are aligned, the obstacle is approximately 1.5 to 2 meters away from the front of the car.
When judging the distance to obstacles on the right side while driving, I mainly rely on familiarity with the rearview mirrors and reference points on my car body. As an experienced city driver, I adjust the right rearview mirror to just barely see the roadside curb and obstacles beside the car. When approaching a target, like a parking pole, I observe its position in the mirror—if it moves toward the edge of the mirror or starts to appear smaller and blurrier, it means I’m getting too close and need to make slight adjustments to the left. I also use the car body as a guide: when the right headlight or wiper node aligns with the obstacle, it’s time to be cautious because the wheels might be about to hit. I usually recommend practicing in an open area, using a cardboard box as an obstacle, and repeatedly driving slowly to get a feel for distance changes. Keep the speed low to allow enough reaction time and avoid accidents in narrow alleys or parking lots. Don’t just focus on the mirrors—occasionally glance quickly over your shoulder to check blind spots, and combine that with sensing the car’s movement and position for better accuracy.
I think the key to judging the distance to obstacles on the right lies in practical techniques. When driving normally, I first ensure the rearview mirror is angled correctly to see roadside details. Observe the size and position of the obstacle in the mirror: if it's near the bottom or edge, immediately slow down and steer left. Another trick is using the side window's lower edge as a reference—when it aligns with the curb, the wheels are close. Practice more by driving slowly in garages or along streets to get used to distance perception. For low obstacles like short poles, getting out to check directly and noting the feeling is safer. For safety, maintain low speed and high concentration, avoiding distractions like music or phones. For blind spots, lean out to look and combine it with feedback from the car's vibrations for better accuracy.
As a beginner, I used to feel nervous about judging the distance on the right side. A simple method is to first adjust the right rearview mirror so that the roadside is visible. While driving, observe the mirror—the closer an obstacle is to the center or bottom, the nearer it is; gradually steer away. Another technique is to approach the target slowly in a straight line. When the front right corner of the car aligns with the obstacle, it's time to stop and check. During practice, I placed markers in parking lots and repeatedly tested, memorizing the feeling at that moment and stepping out to verify the distance. Throughout the process, keep the speed at a minimum, prioritizing safety. Don’t worry about making mistakes; with more practice, it will become second nature. The key is to use the mirrors as references and maintain a safe distance from traffic.
