STOPPING DISTANCES

REACTION TIME = time for a driver to react

Meanwhile the car covers a “ THINKING DISTANCE”

OVERALL STOPPING DISTANCE

= THINKING DISTANCE +

BRAKINGDISTANCE

The overall stopping distance increases when:the thinking distance increases:

* the driver has a slower reaction time, { eg from drugs, tiredness, alcohol, poor visibility}

Also the overall stopping distance increases when:the braking distance increases:

i) there is rain, ice, fog stones,

ii) Poor brakes or tyres.

iii) the car’s speed & mass increase,

Then the car needs;a bigger braking force ora longer distance to stop

From:

Force = Mass X acceleration

The braking force needed to stop a vehicle in a certain distancedepends on :

i ) the car’s speed ( the deceleration must increase)

ii) the mass of the car ( e.g. when carrying more people)

OVERALL STOPPING DISTANCE

= THINKING DISTANCE +

BRAKINGDISTANCE

SUMMARY