stopping distance

what is the equation for stopping distance?

stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance

what is thinking distance?

the distance the car travels during the driver's reaction time

what is braking distance?

the distance taken to stop once the brakes are applied

what is the typical braking distance at 30 mph?

14 metres

what is the typical braking distance at 60 mph?

55 metres

what is the typical braking distance at 70 mph?

75 metres

what factors affect thinking distance?

speed and reaction time

how does speed affect thinking distance?

the faster you are going, the further you will travel during your reaction time

how does reaction time affect thinking distance?

a longer reaction time means a longer thinking distance

what factors affect braking distance?

speed, weather or road surface, tyre condition, and brake condition

how does speed affect braking distance?

the faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop for a given braking force

how does weather or road surface affect braking distance?

wet, icy, or slippery roads reduce grip, increasing braking distance

how does tyre condition affect braking distance?

bald tyres can’t remove water, leading to skidding and longer stopping distances

how does brake condition affect braking distance?

worn or faulty brakes reduce braking force, increasing stopping distance

why is it dangerous to drive too close to other cars in icy conditions?

icy roads increase stopping distance, making it harder to stop in time

why are speed limits important for stopping distances?

higher speeds increase stopping distance, making accidents more likely

how do brakes work to stop a vehicle?

brake pads press onto the wheels, creating friction that transfers kinetic energy to thermal energy

why do brakes get hot when stopping a car?

friction between brakes and wheels converts kinetic energy into heat

why does a faster vehicle need more braking force to stop?

it has more kinetic energy, so more work must be done to stop it

what happens if the braking force is too large?

the brakes may overheat or the vehicle may skid