In terms of distance, where are cars located that are visible at the edges of your rear view mirror?

When cars appear in the edges of your rearview mirror, they are actually closer to you than they may initially seem. The rearview mirror provides a perspective that can create the illusion of distance. Objects that are farther away are typically more centered in your mirror, while things positioned to the edges of the mirror are usually within a shorter range. This phenomenon can occur due to the angle of the mirror and the perspective it provides, which allows closer vehicles to be visible even when they are off to the side.

This understanding is vital for safe driving, as it highlights the importance of not solely relying on mirror positioning to judge distances and the speed of other vehicles. Failing to recognize that vehicles positioned near the edges of the mirror are indeed closer may lead to misjudgment while changing lanes or merging, which can be hazardous.