Stopping Distances

• What is stopping distance in driving?

  Minimum distance required to stop a vehicle
• What is the formula for total stopping distance?

  Total stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
• What does thinking distance represent?

  Distance traveled during driver's reaction time
• What factors affect thinking distance?

  Speed of vehicle and reaction time
• How does speed affect thinking distance?

  Higher speed increases thinking distance
• What can decrease a driver's alertness?

  Tiredness, drugs, distractions, or alcohol
• What is braking distance?

  Distance taken to stop after brakes are applied
• What factors affect braking distance?

  Speed, mass of vehicle, and brake condition
• How does vehicle mass affect braking distance?

  Increased mass increases kinetic energy to reduce
• Why is brake condition important for stopping distance?

  Worn brakes apply less pressure, slowing down less
• How does road condition affect stopping distance?

  Wet or icy roads reduce friction, increasing distance
• What happens if tires are bald?

  They cannot grip the road well
• What is the relationship between speed and stopping distance?

  • Thinking distance increases proportionally with speed
  • Braking distance increases more quickly than expected
  • Doubling speed increases braking distance four-fold
  • Tripling speed increases braking distance nine-fold
• How does the graph of total stopping distance against speed appear?

  It gets steeper as speed increases
• What is the key takeaway regarding speed and stopping distance?

  Higher speed leads to longer stopping times