Stopping Distance

• The stopping distance of a vehicle is calculated by:

  stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
• Thinking distance depends on the speed of the car, with higher speeds resulting in longer thinking distances.
• Reaction time is the time taken for the driver to respond to a hazard.
• Reaction time is affected by:

  • tiredness

  • drugs

  • alcohol

  • distractions
• The braking distance is the distance travelled by a vehicle once the brakes are applied and until it reaches a full stop.
• Braking distance depends on factors such as road conditions (e.g., wet or dry), tyre condition, and brake efficiency.
• When force is applied to the brakes, work is done by the friction between the car wheels and the brakes. The work done reduces the kinetic energy and it is transferred as heat energy, increasing the temperature of the brakes.