d) Car stopping distances

c) reaction time and thinking distance; braking distance and stopping distance for a vehicle

stopping distance = distance travelled by a vehicle from when the driver sees a reason to stop to when the vehicle stops

• stopping distance (m) = thinking distance (m) + braking distance (m)

thinking distance = distance travelled by a vehicle from when the driver sees a reason to stop to when they begin to use the brakes

• thinking distance (m) = speed of the vehicle (ms^-1) × reaction time of the driver (s)

braking distance = distance travelled by a vehicle from when the driver begins to use the brakes to when the vehicle stops

factors that affect the stopping distance

• the speed of the vehicle

• the condition of the brakes, tyres, or road

• the alertness of the driver