How to Judge the Distance of the Rear Vehicle Through the Interior Rearview Mirror?
3 Answers
The method to judge the distance of the rear vehicle through the rearview mirror is as follows: 1. When the rear vehicle is within the safe zone of the rearview mirror and positioned on the right side, it indicates a relatively large distance, allowing normal turning operations. 2. If the rear vehicle is in the center of the rearview mirror, it indicates a distance of approximately 15-20 meters, and normal turning operations can still be performed. 3. When the rear vehicle's body is close to the boundary between the safe zone and the danger zone, the distance is about 5 meters, and you should be more cautious. 4. If the rear vehicle's body has entered the left danger zone of the left rearview mirror, the distance is very close, and turning operations are not advisable. 5. When the rear vehicle occupies 1/4 of the right rearview mirror and the entire vehicle is visible, the distance is about 25 meters, and turning operations can be performed. 6. When the rear vehicle occupies 1/3 of the right rearview mirror, the distance is about 15 meters, and turning operations can be performed. 7. When the rear vehicle occupies half of the right rearview mirror and the entire vehicle is still visible, the distance is about 10 meters, and you can signal before turning. 8. If the rear vehicle occupies half of the right rearview mirror but only half of its body is visible, the distance is very close, and turning operations are not advisable. Note: The interior central rearview mirror can provide a rough estimate of the rear vehicle's distance. However, since the front height of sedans and SUVs varies, always make judgments based on actual conditions. If you can see the front wheels of the rear vehicle in the rearview mirror, the distance is about 15-20 meters; when you can see the rear vehicle's grille, the distance is about 6-8 meters; and when the grille is just out of sight, the distance is about 3 meters.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and judging the distance of the car behind through the interior rearview mirror is a simple technique. When stationary, such as waiting at a red light, I observe how much of the rear car occupies the mirror's view: if the entire car fills the mirror's field of view, it's likely only 5-10 meters away; if the car appears much smaller, occupying about half, it might be around 20-30 meters; if it's just a tiny speck, then it's beyond 30 meters. While moving, observe the relative speed—if the car in the mirror rapidly grows larger, it means it's approaching quickly, so step on the gas or change lanes promptly. In low light, use the rearview mirror's anti-glare function to avoid blind spots. Practice your visual estimation regularly, familiarize yourself with how different car models appear in the mirror, and use roadside references to calibrate distances. This makes highway lane changes or turns much safer. Remember not to rely solely on the mirror—glance at the side mirror to confirm and avoid misjudgment.
As an everyday driving enthusiast, I find using the interior rearview mirror to gauge the distance of following vehicles highly practical. When driving on highways or urban roads, first ensure your car is stable, then observe the following vehicle's appearance in the mirror: if the front of the car is clearly visible, the distance is about 15 meters; if details are blurred and only the outline remains, it's over 20 meters. Pay attention to changes in the following vehicle's size – gradual enlargement means it's getting closer, so maintain your speed; sudden enlargement indicates the other car is accelerating, suggesting it's time to change lanes. Combine this with your own speed estimation – for example, at 50 km/h, if the car in the mirror follows at a constant speed, it's a safe distance. Exercise extra caution during rain or at night, extending observation time when wipers affect visibility. I recommend beginners practice in an empty parking area, memorizing visual cues at different distances to develop habits that prevent rear-end collisions. Always remember to check blind spots during actual driving to ensure safety.
