Why Should You Walk Around the Car Counterclockwise?
2 Answers
The reasons for walking around the car counterclockwise before driving are as follows: 1. Detect foreign objects: No matter where you park your car, you cannot fully anticipate possible situations. For example, there might be stones in a corner in front of the car or sharp objects like nails. Walking around the car allows you to observe the surroundings and avoid unnecessary damage. 2. Timely detection of crouching children or small animals: Incidents of running over small animals are common. Stray cats and dogs often seek warmth under the hot engine or on warm tires in winter, or temporarily shelter from rain on rainy days. There might also be crouching children playing in front of or behind the car. For most vehicles, crouching children are completely invisible from the driver's seat, as they are in a blind spot. If you drive away without walking around the car, the consequences could be severe.
Walking counterclockwise around the car before every drive is genuinely one of the core habits of safe driving in my opinion. Starting from the driver's seat and moving counterclockwise provides better visibility coverage for the easily overlooked blind spots on the right side of the vehicle, such as the tire edges or body dead angles. Especially in crowded parking lots or residential streets, I often spot cats or dogs hiding near the wheels. With light coming from the left in a counterclockwise direction, shadows become distinct, making it effortless to check tire pressure and wheel wear. Driving instructors also emphasize that this routine prevents running over unexpected objects after starting the engine. Developing this daily habit takes just an extra 20 seconds but can save major trouble. I’ve also found that during rainy days or evenings, shining a flashlight while circling the car to inspect door handles and headlight reflections ensures everything is in order. Over time, it becomes muscle memory—confirming the surroundings are safe before hitting the road brings a greater sense of confidence and peace of mind.
