Do you really know your highway code? Can you remember safe stopping distances without checking?

Question

We repeat them parrot fashion before a test , but who remembers them. I know that you drive according to the conditions , but would you pass another test.

Answer 1

No but as a rule of thumb

one vechiles legth for every ten miles of speed I think you will find it compares with the h/way code distances

Answer 2

Yes............

I would pass if I had to take it today.....

:)

Answer 3

Don't remember but on the basis of it hasn't changed since forever ago I am sure the reality is now a lot shorter, better cars and technology.

Answer 4

Nope, never learnt them and never will. As Jasmine said, by the time you've stopped, got the tape measure out of the boot, and walked to the front of your car, the vehicle in front will be miles away.

All I do is ask myself the question, "Can I stop if he does?", and adjust the gap accordingly.

Answer 5

Yes i can judge it to within a couple of feet with my eye and my memory.

Answer 6

No I can't remember stopping distance's and no I don't think I could pass my test again. You learn to drive a certain way for your test,then when you have driven on your own a while you drive differently, but as safely if you know what I mean.

Answer 7

I never learned them, nor was I ever questioned on them. I drive fairly slowly and leave a very large gap between me and the car in front.

Its not as if you can get a tape measure out and measure the distance between you and the car in front of you, its just guesswork and I am rubbish as guessing distances!

Answer 8

Don't remember it was 35 years ago but I think that I drive good because I drive defensively all the time.

Answer 9

Ehm...No...

Answer 10

yes

Answer 11

I could never remember even when i passed my test

I just keeping my distance between cars by saying 'one mississippi two mississippi' (and double this in wet weather) between when they pass an object and when i do - keeps me safe......

and i would never be able to judge how far 40 yard is (or whatever distance) anyway when i am driving

Answer 12

Yes I remember how many seconds to stop from certin speed. Also know how to count to an object to see how fast im going things like that.

Answer 13

No i dont think i do ~~~~~~~~i might need a refresher  since my 16 year old will be driving soon!!!! it scares me ~~~~~~~~~

Answer 14

can i h**l as like...

Answer 15

.

Clive...you  got me so involved visualising your insight, I forgot what the question was...so props for that!!

It is true, that you rightly state, that as we gain experience behind the wheel, we can choose to remember or FORGET those experiences.

Unfortunately, a great number of us- most i should think - err to the latter, and this is where the problem arises.

The HIghway Code is revised periodically, and with good reason: it embraces current thinking, and updates those that are currently interested in knowledge pertaining to the next stretch of bitumen.

As to the stopping distances - they are only there as a guide...all intelligent and interested drivers know, that a car with warmed up ceramic brakes will be capable of stopping in a shorter distance, than a completely w*nkered driver in an overloaded lorry, with a knackered shock absorber!!

In answer to the question. Yes, I can. I also use the formula  up to and above 150mph as a reference tool. I use it in kph and mph ...and use any and all stimulii at any given time to re-evaluate my stopping distance. I am also aware that different vehicles have different characteristics and driver aids and combine that knowledge into my drive.

I would be able to pass another test. In fact, I put myself through as many tests as i can to improve myself.

I'm soory 808fl "I THINK YOU'LL FIND" you are the complete opposite side of the coin to Clive.....

20mph = 3 car lengths not 2 car lengths

30mph = 6  "        "         "    3  "        "

40mph = 9

50mph = 13

60 mph =18

70mph = 24 CAR LENGTHS, NOT SEVEN CAR LENGHTS!!!

Buy a 'king HIGHWAY CODE page 42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

50 years of ignorance!!!!

.

Answer 16

Thing is; it's really only necessary to remember the specific numbers used in the HC for a test, because they're hopelessly inaccurate by the standards of modern cars. The HC stopping distances were compiled back in the days of Ford Anglias and Morris Minors. Any small modern family car will stop within 70% of those figures, and a high performance sports car will stop in half the distances shown.

Time for an update, methinks!

Having once been a driving instructor, I like to think I could pass a current driving test, but I'm sure I'm kidding myself on!!

Answer 17

Let us put it like this.  When I took my driving test in 1960 on a dirt track in Cyprus, stopping distances were probably much greater than they are today.

Back then a really good quality family car could probably make 80mph flat out in 4th gear.  Today even a clapped out banger can make that speed.

In the interim years from 1960 to 2008, I imagine that cars have become more efficient, not only in their breaking capabilities, but also fuel consumption.  Back in 1960 a family saloon might manage 24-30 mpg - now it's closer to 45-50 mpg.

So asking me the stopping distances will probably get you something approaching the length of a football pitch at 50 mph.

I doubt very much that I would be able to pass a driving test today.  It's probably much more involved.  In 1960 at age 19, I took about eight hours of driving with the British Army and at the end of the day took and passed their test - ha!  Just don't ask okay!!

In any event, now at age 66 and only driving about 800 miles a year, I'm due to a medical when I reach 70.  I will easily pass that medical but that's not the point.  The point is that my reaction time is nothing like as good as an 18 year old.

Lets be honest.  Our Spitfire pilots in the Battle of Britain were mostly teenage kids, age range of 18-25 - their reaction times would have been almost instant.

When you get to 66 there is a delay which goes something like this : -

1 - see problem ahead

2 - think about problem ahead

3 - problem ahead will probably go away

4 - problem ahead is not going to go away

5 - ram boot down hard in brake

6 - stop somewhere hopefully without hitting anyone

I'm not one of those who believes that younger drivers are the best - oh dear me no.  You only have to look at the kind of insurance money a young driver has to pay to understand that from the point of view of the insurance companies, I'm a much safer bet than someone aged 18.

Why is that?

Because I am very experienced and I know that around the blind bend in the road there is : -

a) a heard of sheep

b) a person laying in the road

c) a jack-knifed lorry

d) a broken down vehicle with the drivier standing in the middle of the road.

All of the above and much more I have seen and experienced, including spinning around 180 degrees on the M1 at 120mph in c1962 in my E-Type Jaguar - the result of a front tyre blow-out.

Just don't go there - be safe and have fun on the roads.

Now be afraid, very afraid - Actung Spitfire.....

YouTube - Crazy spitfire pilot

This low pass by a Spitfire fighter plane turns out to be insanely low.The reporter

can't contain his adrenalin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-JWmZqoJ...