What Are Practical Methods for Judging Left and Right Vehicle Distance?

[BentleyAnn]

You can use fixed reference points on the car to judge. When the midpoint of the vehicle's left rearview mirror aligns with the left sideline, the distance between the vehicle and the sideline is 1.5 meters. When the white line is at the midpoint of the engine hood, the vehicle's right wheel is already on the line. If the white line is at the halfway point on the right side of the engine hood, the distance to the right sideline is 30 centimeters. When the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle vehicle is 20 centimeters, the lowest visible point of the obstacle vehicle in the field of vision is at 80 centimeters.

[AveryFitz]

When judging the distance between cars on the left and right while driving, the most common method I use is adjusting the rearview mirrors. Adjust the left rearview mirror to a position where the outermost edge of my car body is just visible, so I can roughly see the distance between the left side and obstacles when parking or driving parallel. For the right side, the same method applies, but be aware that the blind spot is larger. When parking by the roadside, I glance at the position of the wheels relative to the curb: when the wheels are about 30 centimeters from the curb, the car body won't scrape against it. When driving parallel, observing whether the front wheels of the adjacent car are aligned with mine also helps determine if the distance is safe. Additionally, using roadside lamp posts or walls as reference points is very helpful. Many new cars now come with blind spot monitoring, which alerts me to the distance of vehicles behind, especially useful when changing lanes. Overall, practicing more to develop spatial awareness is key—don't rush, and it will become easier with time. Remember, practicing a few times in an open area will boost your confidence.

[Thalia]

As someone who's often on the road, I rely on several practical points accumulated through years of experience to assess lateral vehicle distances. Proper mirror setup is fundamental: adjust the left mirror until the car body completely disappears from the edge of vision, leaving space to observe left-side traffic; the right mirror requires similar adjustment but with extra caution for blind spots. When driving parallel, focus on the alignment between the other car's front wheels and my vehicle's body—if the wheels appear below my car's side line in the view, it indicates being too close. For roadside parking, observe whether the right rear wheel aligns with the curb or parking line, maintaining a 20-40 cm gap. I also find lane markings or reflective posts helpful for distance judgment. Safety always comes first—the right-side blind spot is a high-risk accident zone, so always check if the blind spot monitoring system works before driving. Beginners should practice this method several times on roads with light traffic to quickly master it.

[McMelanie]

When I first learned to drive, judging the left and right distances was the most headache. Later, I found a simple trick: adjust the rearview mirror a bit lower so you can see a little of your own car's rear end. When parking, keep the right wheel about 30 cm from the curb for safety. While driving, glance at the position of the car's shadow in the side mirror to roughly gauge the distance. Some cars come with side radar alerts, which are also helpful. After driving a few times, you'll get the hang of it—don't be afraid of making mistakes. Practicing parking in empty parking spots helps a lot. Remember to stay relaxed, and the sense of distance will come naturally over time.

[Deborah]

I personally believe judging safe distances on both sides requires caution. When parking, I utilize rearview mirrors for positioning: ensuring I can see the relative position between my car body and obstacles in the mirrors. For example, when parallel parking, observe if the horizontal line of the adjacent car's door aligns with my car body - if it appears lower, the distance is closer. Pay special attention to blind spots on the right side, and I recommend using blind spot monitoring systems to avoid misjudgment. During daily driving, leave extra space on the right side as a safety buffer. Accident prevention is key - beginners should prioritize practicing in open areas first. Remember to combine visual checks with reference points to gradually build confidence.