stopping distance

• what is stopping distance?

  the minimum distance required to stop a vehicle in an emergency
• what is the total stopping distance equal to?

  thinking distance + braking distance
• what is the thinking distance?

  how far the car travels during the drivers reaction time
• what is reaction time?

  the time between the driver seeing the hazard and actually applying the brakes
• what 2 main thinking affect thinking distance?

  • the speed of the vehicle
  • the reaction time
• what can affect your reaction time?

  • tired
  • drunk
  • drugs
  • distracted
• what is braking distance?

  the distance taken to stop under braking force (once brakes have been applied)
• what are the 2 main factors that affect braking distance?

  • speed
  • mass

  both of these increase the vehicles kinetic energy, which needs to be reduced down to 0 in order for the vehicle to stop
• how can condition/quality of the brakes affect the braking distance?

  if they are worn or faulty they won't be able to put as much pressure against the wheel, meaning they won't be able to slow the car down as quickly, meaning it will travel further before it stops
• how can the traction between the car and the road (road being icy or wet) affect the braking distance?

  less friction between the tyres and road which can cause the tyres to skid
• how can bald tyres affect braking distance? (when the tyres have no tread)


  they can't grip the road as well