What is the stopping distance at 50 mph?

What is the stopping distance at 50 mph?

• A. 12 metres
• B. 23 metres
• C. 53 metres
• D. 73 metres

Answer: (C)

Stopping distance is the sum of thinking distance and braking distance. At 50 mph, on a dry road, this total is about 53 metres. Roughly 15 metres is the thinking distance (distance traveled during the driver's reaction time) and about 38 metres is the braking distance (distance to come to a stop after braking). These figures assume normal conditions and a typical reaction time. Wet or icy roads would increase the braking distance, and therefore the total stopping distance would be longer than 53 metres.

Stopping distance is the sum of thinking distance and braking distance. At 50 mph, on a dry road, this total is about 53 metres. Roughly 15 metres is the thinking distance (distance traveled during the driver's reaction time) and about 38 metres is the braking distance (distance to come to a stop after braking). These figures assume normal conditions and a typical reaction time. Wet or icy roads would increase the braking distance, and therefore the total stopping distance would be longer than 53 metres.