What affects the length of the braking distance

Car manufacturers offer more and more modern vehicles equipped with a variety of systems to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers. We feel safe driving such a car, stuffed with electronics, but will it help to slow down in time and avoid a collision?

Car manufacturers offer more and more modern vehicles equipped with a variety of systems to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers. We feel safe driving such a car, stuffed with electronics, but will it help to slow down in time and avoid a collision?

First of all, we must know that stopping distance is not equal to stopping distance. The distance at which we stop our vehicle is affected by the reaction time, which for each driver will have a different type of surface and, of course, the speed at which we are moving.

When thinking about the point at which our car will stop, we must take into account the braking distance increased by the distance that will be covered in the time it takes for the driver to assess the situation and start braking.

The reaction time is an individual matter, depending, for example, on many factors. For one driver, it will be below 1 second, for another it will be higher. If we accept the worst case, then a car moving at a speed of 100 km / h will travel about 28 m during this time. However, another 0,5 s elapses before the actual braking process begins, which means another 14 m have been covered.

In total it is more than 30 m! The braking distance at a speed of 100 km / h for a technically sound car is on average 35-45 m (depending on the car model, tires, type of coverage, of course). Thus, the braking distance can be more than 80 meters. In extreme cases, the distance traveled during the driver's reaction can be even greater than the braking distance!

Returning to the reaction time before the start of braking. It should be emphasized that illness, stress or simple absent-mindedness significantly affect its prolongation. Ordinary everyday fatigue also has a huge impact on reduced psychomotor activity and driving alertness.

Source: Traffic Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Gdańsk.