1.11 Stopping distances

Question 1

how do you calculate the stopping distance of a vehicle?

Answer 1

stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance

Question 2

What is the thinking distance?

Answer 2

The distance a vehicle ravels during the driver’s reaction time

Question 3

What is the braking distance?

Answer 3

The distance a vehicle travels after the brakes are applied until it comes to complete stop

Question 4

Name two factors which affect the thinking distance

Answer 4

1. Vehicle speed
2. Reaction time - can be affected by tiredness, distractions and alcohol

Question 5

Name FOUR factors that affect braking distance

Answer 5

1. Vehicle speed (faster you go, the further it takes to stop)
2. Mass of vehicle (larger mass takes longer to stop)
3. Effectiveness of the brakes
4. Amount of friction between vehicle tyres and road surface (tyres can have good or bad “tread”; state of the road affected by water, ice, dirt, oil etc.)