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Difficulty: EasyStopping Distances

While driving at the national speed limit of 60 mph60\text{ mph} (96 km/h96\text{ km/h}) on a single carriageway in dry conditions, you are forced to make an emergency stop. What is the total stopping distance according to The Highway Code?

  1. A
    55 metres55\text{ metres} (180 feet180\text{ feet})
  2. B
    18 metres18\text{ metres} (60 feet60\text{ feet})
  3. 73 metres73\text{ metres} (240 feet240\text{ feet})Answer
  4. D
    146 metres146\text{ metres} (480 feet480\text{ feet})

Answer

73 metres73\text{ metres} (240 feet240\text{ feet})
According to The Highway Code, at 60 mph60\text{ mph} (96 km/h96\text{ km/h}) on a dry road, thinking distance is 18 metres18\text{ metres} (60 feet60\text{ feet}) and braking distance is 55 metres55\text{ metres} (180 feet180\text{ feet}). Adding these together gives an overall stopping distance of 73 metres73\text{ metres} (240 feet240\text{ feet}).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the thinking distance for a vehicle travelling at 60 mph60\text{ mph} under normal conditions.
Thinking distance = 18 metres18\text{ metres} (60 feet60\text{ feet}).
Thinking distance is the distance covered from the moment a hazard is perceived until the brakes are physically applied.
2
Identify the braking distance for a vehicle travelling at 60 mph60\text{ mph} on a dry road.
Braking distance = 55 metres55\text{ metres} (180 feet180\text{ feet}).
Braking distance is the distance travelled while the vehicle decelerates under braking to a complete halt.
3
Calculate the total stopping distance by adding thinking distance and braking distance.
18 metres+55 metres=73 metres18\text{ metres} + 55\text{ metres} = 73\text{ metres} (60 feet+180 feet=240 feet60\text{ feet} + 180\text{ feet} = 240\text{ feet}).
Total stopping distance is always the sum of thinking distance plus braking distance.

Key Concept

Highway Code stopping distance formula: Total Stopping Distance = Thinking Distance + Braking Distance
Estimated Time:45s
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Stopping Distances

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