Question

Difficulty: EasyStopping and Following Distances

According to the UK Highway Code, the overall stopping distance for a car travelling at 30 mph30\text{ mph} in dry conditions is 23 metres23\text{ metres}. Because tyre grip is reduced in wet weather, stopping distances are at least double those on a dry road. What is the minimum overall stopping distance, in metres, for a car travelling at 30 mph30\text{ mph} on a wet road?

Answer: 46 metres

Answer

The minimum overall stopping distance on a wet road at 30 mph30\text{ mph} is 46 metres46\text{ metres}.
Under Rule 126 and Rule 227 of the UK Highway Code, stopping distances in wet weather are at least double those on dry roads. For a car travelling at 30 mph30\text{ mph}, the standard dry stopping distance is 23 metres23\text{ metres} (75 feet75\text{ feet}). Multiplying this figure by 22 gives a wet stopping distance of 46 metres46\text{ metres} (150 feet150\text{ feet}).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the dry stopping distance for a vehicle travelling at 30 mph30\text{ mph}.
Dry stopping distance is 23 metres23\text{ metres} (composed of 9 metres9\text{ metres} thinking distance and 14 metres14\text{ metres} braking distance).
The baseline dry road stopping distance is required before applying weather condition multipliers.
2
Apply the wet weather distance multiplier mandated by the UK Highway Code.
Multiply the dry distance by 22: 23 m×2=46 m23\text{ m} \times 2 = 46\text{ m}.
Water on the road reduces tyre adhesion and increases braking distance, causing total stopping distance to at least double in wet conditions.

Key Concept

The UK Highway Code specifies that stopping distances at least double on wet roads compared to dry conditions.
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question