Car Safety (Acceleration, Speed, and Distance)

• The stopping distance is often underestimated when driving. This is a common cause of road accidents.
• Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
• Thinking distance is the distance travelled whilst reacting to a situation.
• Braking distance is the distanced travelled whilst the brakes are applied.
• Thinking distance = speed × reaction time
• Thinking distance is directly proportional to the vehicle's speed.
• Braking distance also increases with the vehicle's speed, but not directly proportionally.