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Difficulty: MediumFactors Affecting Thinking Distance

A motorist is driving towards a busy roundabout. Which factor will directly increase the distance the car travels before the driver reacts and presses the footbrake?

  1. A
    Carrying a full load of passengers and heavy luggage
  2. Engaging in a hands-free telephone conversationAnswer
  3. C
    Driving on a road surface made slippery by recent rain
  4. D
    Having worn brake linings that require replacement

Answer

Engaging in a hands-free telephone conversation directly increases thinking distance.
Thinking distance is the distance travelled while the driver perceives a hazard and decides to act before physically pressing the brake pedal. Engaging in a hands-free phone conversation diverts cognitive attention away from the road, slowing reaction time and increasing thinking distance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Define thinking distance in the context of vehicle stopping margins.
Thinking distance is the distance a vehicle covers during the driver's reaction time, from perceiving a hazard to initiating braking.
Separates the driver reaction phase from the mechanical braking phase.
2
Differentiate driver-related reaction factors from vehicle and environmental braking factors.
Cognitive distraction from a telephone call increases perception and response delay, extending the vehicle's travel before brake application.
Road surface, vehicle load, and brake condition only affect the braking phase once the pedal is pressed.

Key Concept

Thinking distance depends directly on travelling speed and driver reaction time, which is impaired by cognitive distractions.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Factors Affecting Thinking Distance

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