What is the method for using rearview mirrors?
3 Answers
The method for using rearview mirrors is: 1. Using the center of the rearview mirror as a reference line, when the car body is on the outer side of the reference line and the rear vehicle cannot be fully seen, the distance is 5 meters; 2. When the rear vehicle can completely appear in the rearview mirror and the car body is pressed against the reference line, the distance is 10 meters; 3. When the rear vehicle is pressed against the central axis of the rearview mirror and there is still a width of one car between the vehicle in the rearview mirror and the outer edge of the rearview mirror, the distance is 15 meters. The function of the rearview mirror is to reflect the situation behind, beside, and below the car, expanding the driver's field of vision and reducing the occurrence of safety accidents. Precautions for reversing include: 1. Adjust the interior rearview mirror to clearly see the situation behind the car; 2. Pay attention to both left and right rearview mirrors simultaneously; 3. Control the speed appropriately.
When I first learned to drive, I found it a bit challenging to get used to checking the rearview mirrors. After getting in the car, I would sit upright in the driver's seat and adjust the rearview mirror: ensuring it was centered and aligned with the middle of the rear window, with the entire rear window clearly visible, not too high or too low to block the view. While driving, I learned not to fixate solely on the road ahead but to glance quickly at the rearview mirror every 5 to 10 seconds to monitor the distance and speed of vehicles behind me. Reversing maneuvers are even more critical: before starting, I would glance at the interior mirror to check for obstacles directly behind; then look at the left and right side mirrors to assess the distance on both sides; and finally, always turn my head 180 degrees to confirm the blind spot is clear, as mirrors have dead zones. I once nearly scraped a bicycle while reversing in my neighborhood because I didn't look back, but I developed the habit afterward. In city driving with heavy traffic, practicing this sequence frequently and maintaining a safe distance where the following car doesn't appear to shrink in the mirror can prevent many accidents. Beginners should start slow and practice; with time, it becomes second nature.
Having driven for over twenty years, checking the rearview mirror has become my second instinct. Adjusting the mirrors upon entering the car: the rearview mirror is fixed in a slightly upper-middle position, just enough to see the entire rear window. The frequency of glancing at the rearview mirror while driving varies with road conditions—scanning every ten seconds or so on highways, and every two to three seconds in dense urban areas to assess risks. When reversing, I first check the interior mirror to confirm the straight rear conditions; then use the side mirrors to fine-tune the angle; never skipping the crucial step of turning my head to check blind spots. Experience has taught me that using mirrors effectively saves effort and worry, especially when reversing in parking lots or narrow streets, allowing precise distance control. Once, while reversing in a freight yard, I relied entirely on the side mirrors to avoid hitting a barrier, and judged the safe distance based on mirror signals—stopping when the rear vehicle appeared smaller in the mirror. Practicing and observing more builds muscle memory, significantly enhancing driving safety.
