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Difficulty: EasyFactors Affecting Braking Distance

While travelling at 50 mph on a wet road, you need to bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Which of the following will directly increase your vehicle's braking distance?

  1. A
    Driver tiredness causing delayed reaction times
  2. Worn tyres with insufficient tread depthAnswer
  3. C
    Failing to double the following distance behind the vehicle ahead
  4. D
    Harshly pumping the footbrake during an unexpected skid

Answer

Worn tyres with insufficient tread depth
Worn tyres with low tread depth have a compromised ability to displace surface water, leading to reduced friction between the tyre rubber and the road surface. This physical loss of grip directly extends the distance the vehicle travels while the brakes are being applied.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the components of total stopping distance
Total Stopping Distance = Thinking Distance + Braking Distance
Thinking distance depends on driver perception and reaction, whereas braking distance depends on vehicle condition, speed, and road grip.
2
Differentiate driver-related factors from vehicle and road friction factors
Driver fatigue and separation distance errors relate to perception/buffer, whereas tyre tread depth directly governs tyre-to-road friction.
Worn tyre tread reduces water dispersal, diminishing frictional grip and extending the physical distance required to bring the vehicle to a halt.

Key Concept

Braking distance is determined by the physical friction between tyres and the road, vehicle braking efficiency, road surface conditions, and vehicle weight, distinct from thinking distance.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Factors Affecting Braking Distance

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