The Motion Of A Vehicle And Safety Flashcards
What are some of the causes of accidents
Unworthy vehicles on the road, drivers driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding
What is a stopping distance
The sum of the reaction distance and braking distance
What does the stopping distance depend on
The thinking distance(reaction time) and the braking distance
What is the reaction distance
The distance taken from the time when the driver observes an obstacle or car ahead of him to the time when the driver actually applies the breaks.
What affects reaction distance and why
Fatigue - your brain thinks slower when you are tired
Alcohol use - under the influence of alcohol, even legally, seriously affects your judgement of an obstacle or danger. Your body moves less accurately. Later or hindered breaking is the result
Drugs - most drugs make you less alert and less aware of obstacles or dangers. Even legal painkillers and hay fever tablets can affect your reaction time
Distractions - certain things inside the car can distract your attention like loud music, cellphones, crying children etc
Poor vision - dense fog and heavy rain can cause the driver to have poor vision of the road ahead and cause him not to observe obstacles or danger clearly or in time
What is the braking distance
The distance taken from the time the breaks are applied until the time the car comes to rest
What affects the breaking distance
Brakes - worn out brakes
Tyres - not all tires are the same, some tires are designed to roll smoother to decrease fuel consumption
Road surface - different types of road surfaces have different levels of gripping. Wet roads decrease grip 
Mass - the heavier the car the more the braking distance
Aerodynamics - the worse the aerodynamics of the car is, the better the car decreases the velocity during breaking.
