You are driving a car at 40\text{ mph} along a single carriageway in good, dry conditions.… — UK Driving Theory Test

You are driving a car at $40\text{ mph}$ along a single carriageway in good, dry conditions. According to the UK Highway Code, what is the typical overall stopping distance?

A
$12\text{ metres}$ ( $40\text{ feet}$ )
B
$24\text{ metres}$ ( $80\text{ feet}$ )
$36\text{ metres}$ ( $118\text{ feet}$ )Answer
D
$72\text{ metres}$ ( $240\text{ feet}$ )

Answer

36\text{ metres}

(

118\text{ feet}

)

According to the UK Highway Code, at a speed of

40\text{ mph}

in dry conditions, the average thinking distance is

12\text{ metres}

(

40\text{ feet}

) and the braking distance is

24\text{ metres}

(

80\text{ feet}

). Adding these together gives an overall stopping distance of

36\text{ metres}

(

118\text{ feet}

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the thinking distance at

40\text{ mph}

Thinking distance =

12\text{ metres}

(

40\text{ feet}

)

Thinking distance is the distance travelled in the time it takes to react to a hazard.

Identify the braking distance at

40\text{ mph}

Braking distance =

24\text{ metres}

(

80\text{ feet}

)

Braking distance is the distance travelled from pressing the brake pedal to coming to a complete stop.

Calculate the total stopping distance

Total stopping distance =

12\text{ metres} + 24\text{ metres} = 36\text{ metres}

(

118\text{ feet}

)

Overall stopping distance equals thinking distance plus braking distance.

Key Concept

Overall stopping distance is calculated by combining thinking distance and braking distance under standard dry conditions.

Estimated Time:45s

Question

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Topics

More questions from this topic