Stopping distance is something that every motorist needs to have a clear understanding of. Braking safely is a vital task when driving and every motorist will have to perform an emergency braking manoeuvre at some point in their life. In these situations, you need an optimal stopping distance to protect yourself, protect other road users and protect your car.
What is Stopping Distance?
So, what is stopping distance exactly? There are two factors that determine a car’s stopping distance. The first is known as thinking distance, which is the amount of time that it takes for your brain to process that you need to stop. The second is braking distance, which is the distance that is travelled once you hit the brakes until you come to a complete stop. There are a number of factors that can affect your stopping distance – keep reading to find out more.
Your View of the Road
In terms of thinking distance, your view of the road is one of the biggest factors. Visibility, height, posture and mental state are all areas that can impact your view of the road and impact your thinking distance.
Road Conditions
The conditions of the road will be one of the biggest factors when it comes to braking distance. Driving in wintery conditions can increase stopping distances by as much as 10 times, which is why it is so important for motorists to take care when driving in winter. All-weather car tyres can be a sensible option that can reduce braking distances in bad conditions.
Tyre Wear & Pressure
Leading on from this, both the tyre pressure and tread depth can impact the braking distance. Tyres that have the wrong pressure or not enough tread depth can increase braking distance and this is why tyre maintenance is so important. You need to check the pressure on a regular basis and keep the tyres inflated to the recommended level as well as perform the 20p test on a regular basis – anything less than 1.6 mm is illegal and will result in a fine of £2,500 (per tyre).
Speed
Obviously, the speed that you are travelling plays a major role in both your thinking and stopping distance. The faster that you are going, the further you will travel before realising that you need to brake and the further that you will travel before coming to a stop. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on the speed limit and your speed and always make sure that leave plenty of room in front of you when travelling at high speeds.
Stopping distances need to be considered at all times by motorists. There are many factors that can influence this, which is why you need to stay aware at all times and consider what the conditions are.
