Lesson 1/Learning Event 1
DRIVER'S REACTION TIME
FIGURE 3. TOTAL VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE
OF AN AVERAGE VEHICLE.
Another factor that affects the time and distance required to bring a
vehicle to a stop is the driver's reaction time. Reaction time is
the time required for the driver to move his/her foot from the
accelerator pedal to the brake pedal and apply the brakes. While the
driver is thinking of applying the brakes and reacting to do so, the
vehicle will move a certain distance. How far it will move depends
on its speed. After the brakes are applied, the vehicle will travel
an additional distance before it is brought to a stop. The total
stopping distance of a vehicle is the total of the distance covered
during the driver's reaction time and the distance during which the
brakes are applied before the vehicle stops. This illustration shows
the total stopping distance required at various vehicle speeds. This
is assuming an average reaction time of threequarters of a second
and that good brakes are applied under the most favorable road
conditions.
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