How to Judge the Distance When Turning?

[MacJohn]

When turning, the distance can be judged by methods such as the distance between the right front corner and the front of the vehicle ahead. Below are methods to judge the left and right distances when turning: 1. Judging the distance between the right front corner and the front of the vehicle ahead: In a normal driving posture, observe the vehicle ahead through the lower edge of the front windshield. When you can just see the upper edge of the right front corner headlight of the vehicle ahead, the closest distance is approximately 10cm. At this closest distance of 10cm between the front of your car and the vehicle ahead, turning the steering wheel fully to the left, whether moving forward or backward, will not cause a scrape with the vehicle ahead. 2. Judging the distance between the right front corner and the rear of the vehicle ahead: In a normal driving posture, observe the vehicle ahead through the lower edge of the front windshield. When you can see the upper edge of the left rear corner of the trunk of the vehicle ahead, the closest distance is approximately 5cm. At this closest distance of 5cm between the front of your car and the rear of the vehicle ahead, turning the steering wheel fully to the left, whether moving forward or backward, will not cause a scrape with the vehicle ahead.

[LaAdeline]

When I first learned to drive, I was always worried about hitting things when turning, especially when entering or exiting narrow roads. The instructor taught me: slow down before turning, check the rearview mirror to see the distance of the car behind; if the car in the mirror appears smaller, it means it's getting farther away. Don’t forget the side mirrors—take a quick glance to check the position of obstacles. The length of the car is a reference point—when turning, imagine the trajectory of the wheels to avoid scraping. Find an empty space to practice a few times, slowly turning the steering wheel to feel the gaps. I also installed small convex mirrors to help see blind spots. The key is not to rush—with more practice, it becomes natural. Turning at night requires even more caution—turn on the lights to alert others.

[Yolanda]

With over 20 years of driving experience, I judge distances purely through accumulated 'muscle memory'. When turning, I don't need to stare at the dashboard; the combination of the car's rotation angle and speed gives me a sense of the safe zone. Checking the rearview mirror to monitor the following vehicle's movement: if it stays steadily centered in my view, the distance is acceptable. For urban turns, I use roadside markings as reference points, ensuring the tire's turning point doesn't cross the line. In older cars without assist systems, you rely on intuition; turning slowly to adjust direction prevents sudden steering. Extra caution is needed when turning in rain or fog, leaving ample buffer distance. With enough practice, this becomes instinctive.

[AlexanderAnn]

Using tech aids for turning judgment: The new car's 360-degree camera displays distance markers on the screen with red/yellow/green lines indicating proximity, while reverse sensors beep for nearby objects. Manually installed blind-spot cameras show real-time blind zones during turns. Paired with a smartphone app for environmental scanning. However, equipment has margins of error—don't rely entirely. Combine with mirror checks for clear rear visibility; brake before turns to assess road conditions. Practicing visual estimation is better.

[VivianMarie]

Safety first is my ironclad rule for driving: slow down to below 30 before turning, scan the rearview and side mirrors to ensure sufficient distance—usually leaving half a car length gap. The judgment is based on the car's position: keep the wheels from getting too close to obstacles at the turning point, and anticipate the path. Pay special attention to pedestrians and bicycles when turning in the city; if unsure, stop and look again. Use reference points like road signs for positioning. Practice simulating various turns in parking lots to develop the habit of anticipating in advance.