How to Judge the Distance of the Car Front When Driving?
2 Answers
Methods to judge the distance of the car front when driving: If there is a car ahead, when you see the front of your vehicle approaching the lower edge of the front car's bumper in the driver's compartment, it means the front of your car is about two meters away from the front car; if you see the upper edge of the front car's bumper, it means the front of your car is 0.5 meters away from the front car. If the vehicle you are driving is an SUV, the same two reference points apply. Seeing the lower edge of the bumper from the driver's compartment indicates the front of the car is 1.2 meters away from the front car, while seeing the upper edge means the front of the car is 0.3 meters away. To judge the distance of the wheels, if the driver sees the road surface coincide with the protruding point of the right wiper blade inside the car, it means the tire is pressing the line.
As an experienced driver, I judge the distance to the front of the car mainly by observing the relative position between the end of the hood and the vehicle ahead. While driving, I check whether the hood covers the bottom of an obstacle in front. For example, when parking, if the rear wheel arch of the car ahead is half-covered by the edge of the hood, it indicates the front of my car is about one meter away. This habit comes from years of accumulated experience. Since seat height affects perspective, I always adjust my seat and angle for consistency every time I get in the car. Different car models have varying hood shapes—sedans and SUVs differ significantly—but a few tries help you adapt. Another technique is practicing distance perception at parking lines or open areas using markers, like placing a cardboard box and testing repeatedly until you avoid hitting it. Daytime visibility is clear, but dim streetlights at night can lead to misjudgment, so I slow down. In short, regular practice is key—don’t fear minor scrapes, but prioritize safety.
