What is the purpose of a novice looking at the rearview mirror?
2 Answers
For novice drivers, the purpose of looking at the rearview mirror is to judge the distance of the vehicle behind by observing changes in positional relationships and distances. Below are specific introductions to the functions of car rearview mirrors: Observing road conditions: While driving, the driver can observe the road conditions on both sides through the rearview mirrors to perform operations such as lane changes and overtaking. Reference points: During operations like parallel parking or reversing into a parking space, reference points can be identified using the rearview mirrors. Judging the distance to the vehicle behind: Pay special attention to the central rearview mirror. The distance to the vehicle behind can be judged through the central rearview mirror. When the front wheels of the vehicle behind are just visible in the central rearview mirror, the distance is approximately 13 meters. When the grille is visible, the distance is about 6 meters. When the grille is just no longer visible, the distance is approximately 4 meters.
Novice drivers should make it a habit to check the rearview mirrors frequently. Always glance at the mirrors before turning, changing lanes, or braking to gauge the distance of vehicles behind. The right-side mirror is especially crucial for spotting blind spots—suddenly appearing electric bikes can be terrifying. During traffic jams, monitoring the rearview mirror helps prevent rear-end collisions; if you see a large truck speeding up from behind, move aside promptly. Parking and reversing are impossible without mirrors—I relied on them to judge the distance between the tires and the curb when I first started driving. When the rear windshield wiper can’t clear the water, remember to wipe raindrops off the mirrors promptly, and check them more often in rainy conditions when visibility is poor.
