How to Judge the Left and Right Distance for Novice Drivers?
3 Answers
Here are the methods for novice drivers to judge the left and right distance: 1. Judging the position of the left wheel: When the line of sight aligns the protruding node of the left wiper with an object on the ground, the left wheel will run over that object while moving. 2. Driving 60 cm away from the center line: When the line of sight aligns the intersection of the cotton board and the A-pillar with the center line, the body is exactly 60 cm away from the center line. When driving normally, staying 60 cm away from the center line is safer. 3. Judging the position of the right wheel: When the line of sight aligns the right wiper with the target, the tire will run over that target. 4. Driving 60 cm away from the roadside on the right: When the right sprayer overlaps with the target on the roadside, the body is still 60 cm away from the roadside. 5. Parking on the right side: When the node of the right wiper aligns with the roadside, slightly pull the direction to the left to achieve parking 10 cm away from the roadside.
When driving for long periods, I now rely on simple tricks to judge the distance to vehicles on either side. Initially, I often used the rearview mirror as a reference: if the neighboring car appears small in the mirror, occupying only a small portion, it indicates a safe distance of more than two meters. If the entire car is clearly visible, then there might be only about half a meter left, and it's time to slow down. Another method is aligning the right corner of the windshield with the curb or lane line to gauge the appropriate distance on the right side. Practicing parking in open spaces dozens of times, with someone guiding and measuring the actual distance, helps develop a feel for the car. Don’t forget to adjust the rearview mirror angle for better visibility. In city driving, always leave some buffer space and avoid tailgating to prepare for sudden brakes. Judging distances is harder in rain or at night, so extra caution is needed. In short, beginners shouldn’t rush; driving short distances daily will gradually build intuitive judgment, but safety should always come first.
When I first got my driver's license, I was really nervous about whether I would scrape the cars on either side. Later, I figured out some methods. For example, by looking at the right rearview mirror: if the outline of the car in the adjacent lane becomes blurry and smaller, the distance is relatively far; if it becomes clear and magnified, you need to be alert. I use a certain point below the steering wheel to align with roadside stones to estimate the distance on the right, and after practicing a few times, it became much more accurate. I also enjoy practicing parallel parking in parking lots, slowly approaching the parking line to get a feel for the car's position. After driving for a few months now, I can even use the edge of the hood to align with objects for judgment. The key is to drive more in real situations, like taking a short route every week, checking blind spots before changing lanes after signaling. The sense of distance comes with practice—don't start on highways right away; begin in residential areas first. Remember to stay relaxed, adjust your seating position properly, and keep your field of vision open to naturally reduce mistakes.
