What is the Mnemonic for Judging Distance Through Rearview Mirrors?
2 Answers
The mnemonic for judging distance through rearview mirrors is: 1. The smaller the rear vehicle appears, the safer it is; 2. When the rear vehicle occupies one-third of the mirror, the distance is about 10 meters; 3. When the rear vehicle occupies half of the mirror, the distance is about 7 meters, suitable for turning; 4. When the rear vehicle fills the entire mirror, the distance is about 3 meters, not suitable for turning. When you see a vehicle approaching from the right lane in the rearview mirror, observe its position in the mirror while considering its speed. If only part of the rear vehicle's front is visible in the mirror, it indicates a very close distance, and you should delay changing lanes to avoid a rear-end collision. If the entire front of the rear vehicle is within the mirror's range, it means the distance is at least 5-6 meters, and you can accelerate to change lanes to the right.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and the key mantra for judging the distance of the car behind is just one sentence: 'Divide the left rearview mirror into three equal parts to observe.' When the car behind only appears in the outermost third of the mirror, the distance is roughly over 15 meters, which is still quite safe; when it's in the middle third, the distance is between 5 to 15 meters, which is a moderate range, so you need to pay attention to maintaining a safe distance; if the car appears in the innermost third, then it's within 5 meters, and you need to be extra careful when changing lanes or braking. This mantra has helped me avoid countless rear-end collisions, so it's important to develop the habit of glancing at the rearview mirror frequently. Adjusting the mirror angle is also crucial to ensure the rear wheels and road conditions are clearly visible. Combining the use of side mirrors can enhance overall driving safety, especially when changing lanes on highways—don’t forget this trick. It’s simple, practical, and reliable.
