5.3.20

Stopping Distance

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Stopping Distance

Stopping distance is the distance it takes a car to stop in an emergency (i.e. when the car is braking suddenly). Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.

Thinking distance

Thinking distance

  • The time it takes for a driver to react to a situation is their reaction time.
  • During this reaction time, the car carries on moving.
  • The thinking distance is the distance travelled between when the driver realises they need to brake and when they apply the brakes.
Braking distance

Braking distance

  • The distance the car travels between the driver applying the brakes and the car coming to a stop.
Typical stopping distances

Typical stopping distances

  • For a car travelling at 20mph, a typical stopping distance is 12m.
  • For a car travelling at 50mph, a typical stopping distance is 53m.
  • For a car travelling at 70mph, a typical stopping distance is 96m.
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