Stopping distance is the total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver decides to stop until the vehicle fully halts. The brake system plays a crucial role in minimizing this distance, directly affecting safety on the road (Driver Knowledge Tests, 2024).
The distance your vehicle travels while you recognize the need to brake.
The distance it takes to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied.
Well-maintained brakes generate maximum friction, allowing the vehicle to slow down quickly. Worn pads, damaged rotors, or low brake fluid reduce braking power, increasing stopping distance.
The time it takes for hydraulic pressure to build and brakes to engage affects how quickly the vehicle slows down. Issues like air in brake lines or faulty master cylinders delay response, lengthening stopping distance.
Overheated brakes lose effectiveness, drastically increasing stopping distances, especially during long descents or repeated braking.
ABS prevents wheel lockup, allowing the driver to maintain steering control during hard braking and reducing stopping distance on slippery surfaces.
The faster the vehicle is moving, the longer the stopping distance. Stopping distance increases exponentially with speed.
Wet, icy, or uneven roads reduce tire grip and increase stopping distance.
Worn or improperly inflated tires decrease traction, causing longer stopping distances.
Varies by alertness, fatigue, and distractions, influencing perception distance.
A car traveling at 80 km/h with well-maintained brakes can stop in about 57 meters on dry pavement. If the brake pads are worn and rotors damaged, the stopping distance can increase by 20% or more, raising the risk of collision.
The brake system’s condition is critical to minimizing stopping distance.
Regular maintenance ensures brakes respond quickly and effectively.
Drivers should adjust speed and following distance based on road and weather conditions to maintain safe stopping distances.
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Driver Knowledge Tests. (2024, May 22). How car brakes work. Retrieved from https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/motorcycles/how-car-brakes-work/
Geico. (n.d.). What Is Stopping Distance? Retrieved from https://www.geico.com/living/driving/auto-safety/stopping-distance/