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Stopping Distances

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It is important that we all take extra care on the roads when we do not have the best weather conditions. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.  This is because your tyres have less grip on the road in wet weather.  In icy conditions stopping distances should be 10 times those on dry roads.

 

Stopping Distances

 

Distances in feet

 

Speed (MPH)

Thinking Distance (Feet)

          Braking Distance (Feet)

              Stopping Distance (Feet)

20 MPH                                      

20 ft.

             20 ft.

                40 ft.

30 MPH

30 ft.

             45ft

                75 ft. 

40 MPH

40 ft. 

            80 ft.

              120 ft.

50 MPH

50 ft.

          125 ft.

              175 ft.

60 MPH

60 ft.

          180 ft.

              240 ft.

70 MPH

70 ft. 

          245 ft.

              315 ft.

 

 

 

 

 

Distances in metres

 

 

 

 

Speed (MPH)

Thinking Distance (Metres)

          Braking Distance (Metres

)            Stopping Distance (Metres)

20 MPH

6 m

            6 m

              12 m

30 MPH

9 m 

          14 m

              23 m

40 MPH

12 m

          24 m

              36 m 

50 MPH

15 m

          38 m 

              53 m

60 MPH

18 m

          55 m

              73 m

70 MPH

 

 

 

 

21 m

          75 m

              96 m

 

 

 

Thinking Distances

 

 

A thinking distance is dependant on you as the driver.  Other than the speed of the car, your thinking distance can be increased by the following factors:-

 

 

  • tiredness,

  • lack of concentration. (eg. use of mobile phones whilst driving)

  • age - an aging driver may have an increased thinking distance

  • drink or drugs (legal or illegal).

  • bad vision can decrease your reaction distance

 

 

Braking Distances

 

 

Other than the speed of the car, your braking distance can be increased by the following factors:-

 

 

  • the weight of the car

  • condition of the brakes. Worn discs and/or pads mean that it can take longer to reduce your cars speed.

  • condition of your tyres. Highly worn tyres can increase braking distance, especially during wet weather.

  • Road surface condition. General condition of the road surface and how well maintained it is. Gravel, dirt and mud will increase braking distance.

  • Wet or icy roads will increase braking distance.

 

Stopping Distances

 

Stopping distances for cars when driving is a calculation based on the drivers thinking distance; the distance the car has travelled before the driver reacts to a hazard and the braking distance; which is how long the car takes to stop once the brakes have been applied.  The Thinking Distance and Braking Distance factors listed above will have an affect on your actual stopping distance.

 

 

 

REMEMBER - In rain your stopping distance doubles and in icy conditions your distance is 10 times as much as that of dry roads.

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