Automotive Article Category

Contributing Factors to the Stopping Distance of a Vehicle

In the event that you have to stop suddenly there are a number of factors that contribute to how quickly you can do this. These are generally within your control but require an awareness of them.
The road surface
Your vehicle has a lot less of a grip on the road when there are other things involved such as ice, snow or rain. These things can greatly reduce traction and mean that it takes you a lot longer to stop. Interestingly, the effect of rain can be at its worst during a heavy downfall that follows a dry spell. This is because pollution on the roads suddenly becomes liquid and can be very slippery. Driving in snow and ice is best avoided if at all possible.
The state of your tires
Bald tires obviously have a lot less grip on the road than brand new ones that still have a deep tread. All drivers need to maintain their vehicles to ensure they're safe for the road and the tires are a big part of this. Tires can last a long time so it can be easy to forget about them but it's definitely worth remembering.
The amount of weight in the vehicle
The amount of weight you have in your vehicle will increase the stopping distance of the vehicle. For example, if you have five big people in your car, then it's going to take a lot longer to come to a complete stop than if it's just you behind the wheel on your own. This also applies if you're towing a trailer or caravan - the extra weight takes more time to slow. You need to start braking earlier than normal under these circumstances to compensate for the extra time it will take.
Driver response time
How alert you are will have a huge impact on stopping time. If you aren't alert enough or are distracted by a mobile phone, then you won't apply you brakes as quickly as someone who is fully focussed on their driving. This could literally be the difference between life and death.
But it's not just a matter of speed, we all need to make sure we're alert and this means being from the influence of drugs and alcohol, including legal medication that can sometimes make you drowsy.
And speaking of sleep, there has been research done that shows that tiredness can sometimes be equal or worse than intoxication for increasing the risk of an accident. So if you're tired, then make sure you stop and get some rest. As the saying goes, it's better to arrive late than not at all.
The speed you are going
Perhaps the most significant factor in determining the stopping distance of a car is the speed the car is travelling. If you're going 10 miles per hour then you can stop pretty quickly and easily. But compare that to 70 miles per hour and it's a very different story. Even going 5-10 miles per hour over the speed limit can completely change how your car behaves. Stick to the posted speed limits as they're there for good reason.
Play it safe
One excellent habit to get into that will improve your chances of avoiding a crash if you have to stop suddenly, is to have a decent space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This is often described as either the two second rule or the three second rule. Simply put, this means that you are travelling at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
It's easy to determine how far behind another vehicle you are travelling - just observe the vehicle in front pass a sign on the road and start counting "one thousand and one, one thousand and two". You should not pass that same point until you've said that full sentence. If you do, then you're travelling too closely behind the vehicle in front of you.
The beauty of the two second rule is that it works at all speeds. The faster you go, the longer the distance between vehicles must be since the stopping distance will increase the faster you