What is the stopping distance rule?
The general rule is to maintain a safe following distance of at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead. This should give you enough space to stop in an emergency, like if the car ahead of you stops abruptly. Tip: Never drive at a speed at which the stopping distance required exceeds the distance you can see.
How do you work out stopping distances?
Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance Thinking distance is approximately 1 foot for every mph you travel at, for example, a car travelling at 30mph will travel 30 feet before the brakes are applied.
What will affect the stopping distance of your motorcycle?
Braking distances can also be affected by the condition of the motorcycles brakes and tyres. Going downhill and other factors such as road condition, slippery surfaces due to rain, oil / diesel spillages and debris on the road surface can extend the braking distance.
What is the stopping distance on a dry road at 50 mph?
Driver Care – Know Your Stopping Distance
Speed | Perception/Reaction Distance | Braking Distance |
---|---|---|
40 mph | 59 feet | 80 feet |
50 mph | 73 feet | 125 feet |
60 mph | 88 feet | 180 feet |
70 mph | 103 feet | 245 feet |
How to calculate stopping distance for a motorcycle?
The following stopping distance chart shows typical CAR stopping distances. The Highway Code points out that a motorcyclist should increase these distances For further information on motorcycle stopping distances, see the following resources: (the first one is particularly good)
Is the highway code based on braking distance?
Actually the overall stopping distances haven’t change for many years before 1980. But…there is plenty of recent research saying that although the braking distance may be shorter, the thinking distance may well be longer. The Highway Code is based on the driver reacting in 0.7 seconds…that’s to: * see the hazard.
What does Highway Code 126 mean on a motorcycle?
Note that increasing the speed from 30 to 70mph almost quadruples the braking distance, even though it only just over doubles the speed. The Highway Code section 126 says: Stopping Distances. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.
How does stopping distance affect Highway Code driving test?
Sometimes you can take a lucky guess – but a whole plethora of factors can affect the stopping distance of a car at any given speed. Popular Highway Code questions on the theory test include quizzing you on stopping distances on ice, in wet conditions, at 60mph and then at 30mph.