Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumStopping Distances

A car is travelling at 60 mph60\text{ mph} (96 km/h96\text{ km/h}) on a dry, level road under good driving conditions. According to The Official Highway Code, what is the vehicle's total stopping distance in metres?

Answer: 73 metres

Answer

73 metres
According to The Official Highway Code, a vehicle travelling at 60 mph60\text{ mph} has a thinking distance of 18 metres18\text{ metres} and a braking distance of 55 metres55\text{ metres}, giving a total stopping distance of 73 metres73\text{ metres} (240 feet240\text{ feet}).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the thinking distance for a vehicle travelling at 60 mph60\text{ mph}.
18 metres18\text{ metres} (60 feet60\text{ feet})
At 60 mph60\text{ mph}, the driver covers 18 metres18\text{ metres} during reaction time before physical brakes take effect.
2
Determine the braking distance for a vehicle travelling at 60 mph60\text{ mph} on a dry road.
55 metres55\text{ metres} (180 feet180\text{ feet})
Under dry, optimal conditions, the car requires 55 metres55\text{ metres} to decelerate to a complete stop.
3
Add the thinking distance and braking distance together.
18 m+55 m=73 metres18\text{ m} + 55\text{ m} = 73\text{ metres} (240 feet240\text{ feet})
Total stopping distance is the sum of thinking distance and braking distance.

Key Concept

Highway Code stopping distance at 60 mph

Alternative Method

Convert speed directly using the Highway Code reference pattern: at 60 mph60\text{ mph}, thinking distance in feet equals the speed value in feet (60 ft=18 m60\text{ ft} = 18\text{ m}), and braking distance in feet is calculated by multiplying speed by an increasing factor (60×3=180 ft=55 m60 \times 3 = 180\text{ ft} = 55\text{ m}), resulting in 240 ft=73 m240\text{ ft} = 73\text{ m}.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Stopping Distances

More questions from this topic