​Stopping Distance

Remember, only a fool breaks the two second rule!

We apologise for the break in blog posts!

​This is due to the festive break, however, we will be back to posting regularly!

We are continuing our series on habits that are picked up after passing your driving test. This can happen once you have passed your driving test and begin to drive independently. Although this can benefit you with experience and confidence, there is also the potential to pick up those horrible habits. Take a look at our tailgating post which fits in perfectly with this topic.

How is stopping distance calculated?

Something you may already be aware of is how stopping distance is calculated. This can be shown as an equation which is:
Stopping distance = thinking distance + breaking distance

What can affect your thinking distance?

There are many different reasons why your stopping distance can alter. These are usually things that you are able to control. Below is a short list of items that can affect your thinking distance:

• Are you tired?
• Distracted by a mobile phone? Radio? Children in the car?
• Under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
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What can affect your breaking distance?

When it comes to breaking distance, many people already know that the thinking distance is the only part of the equation that you can control. However, listed below are ways that the breaking distance can be reduced:

• The weather conditions
• The car’s breaks
• The car’s tyre conditions
  
  

Stopping distance
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Shown above are a variety reasons why your stopping distance can be longer than you may think. It is mostly likely that many of you are aware that being tired or distracted can increase your stopping distance as well as tyre conditions. Driving on your mobile is an offence which is punishable with penalty points. It is also worth knowing that if your tyre tread is below the 1.6mm, it is illegal and will probably affect your stopping distance whilst driving.

In London there has been an initiative that is to increase the number of areas with 20mph speed limits, this is to try and decrease the amount of incidents in the areas and to try and control traffic more effectively.

Does your thinking and breaking distance change the faster you go?

Yes, both the breaking and stopping distance increases the faster you go. It is said that if you are not distracted and the road conditions are dry, the typical stopping distances are:

20mph = 6m thinking distance and 6m stopping distance = 12 metres travelled
30mph = 9m thinking distance and 14m stopping distance = 23 metres travelled (52% increase)
40mph = 12m thinking distance and 24m stopping distance = 36 metres travelled (64% increase)
50mph = 15m thinking distance and 38m stopping distance = 53 metres travelled (68% increase)
60mph = 18m thinking distance and 55m stopping distance = 73 metres travelled (73% increase)
70mph = 21m thinking distance and 75m stopping distance = 96 metres travelled (76% increase)

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​​These distances are on an average and may vary, however, as you can see, the stopping distance from 20mph to 30mph takes the largest increase by almost doubling.
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Stopping distance in wet weather conditions
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In wet weather conditions, your stopping distance doubles which means if your usual stopping distance is 2 seconds this increases to 4. In snow your stopping distance can increase to 10 times your usual stopping distance, resulting in a 20 second stopping distance.

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View a Stopping Distance simulator

What other habits are there?

Remember that stopping distances and speed limits are there for a reason!
Leave a comment on any experiences you’ve had to do with stopping distances or tailgating.

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Happy Driving!
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Royal