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Difficulty: EasyAdjusting Margins in Wet Weather

A car travelling at 40 mph on a dry road has an average total stopping distance of 36 metres. According to the Highway Code, stopping distances in wet conditions are at least double those on dry surfaces. What is the minimum total stopping distance, in metres, that the driver should anticipate on a wet road at this speed?

Answer: 72 metres

Answer

72 metres
According to the Highway Code, wet road conditions reduce tyre grip, meaning overall stopping distances are at least double those on dry roads. For a car travelling at 40 mph with a dry stopping distance of 36 metres, the minimum stopping distance in wet weather is 36 × 2 = 72 metres.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the standard total stopping distance on a dry road at 40 mph.
Dry stopping distance = 36 metres.
This establishes the baseline stopping distance before adjusting for wet weather.
2
Apply the wet weather multiplier defined in the Highway Code.
Wet weather multiplier = 2.
Reduced tyre grip on wet road surfaces increases stopping distances to at least double normal dry figures.
3
Multiply the dry stopping distance by the wet weather factor of 2.
36 metres × 2 = 72 metres.
Calculates the total minimum stopping distance expected in wet conditions.

Key Concept

Highway Code stopping distance adjustment in wet weather
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Adjusting Margins in Wet Weather

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