How do i work out stopping distances when driving?

Question

I am about to take my theory test but when i am taking the mock test i really struggle on stopping (braking) distances i am not to bright so i am looking for an easy way of working them out. Your help will be much appretiated thank you

Answer 1

I printed out the list and stuck it everywhere I could see it - it kind of got ingrained in my brain!

Also, there was the option of learning it in metres or feet.  I went for the option where I found there was a pattern in the numbers (which I think would have been metres).  Sounds weird, but look it up.

Answer 2

one second for every 10 mph you are going

Answer 3

The most important point for any driver to remember is that if you double your speed -- say from 30mph to 60mph -- your braking distance does not become twice as long, it becomes four times as far.

The biggest factor in stopping distances is the speed at which a driver reacts to seeing the hazard in question. Under ordinary driving conditions, very few drivers indeed can get onto the brakes within half a second, and two-thirds of a second to a full second is more typical.

Answer 4

Run below the legal speed and try maintaining to the vehiche in front og you, a distance equal with the distance between 2 lighting pilars. Always push gentle the break pedal when you see the braking-lights of the vehicle in front of you are lighting. Also, when stopping, try to push the brake pedal gentle but continuous, instead of hitting it to the floor, as to stop the car progresively (by slowing down, not blocking the wheels).

Answer 5

Try to remember them as PIN or 'phone numbers, first two figures for the speed, second two the distance in metres.

30.23

50.36

70.96

For our American friends, the UK theory test requires you to know the official stopping distances for any given speed.

Answer 6

I was taught this method many years ago and it still works to give the stopping distances in the highway code.

Thinking distance in feet is the same as speed in MPH

Braking distance goes up in halves so

20 MPH * 1 = 20 feet

30 MPH * 1.5 = 45 feet

40 MPH * 2 = 80 feet

50 MPH * 2.5 = 125 feet

60 MPH * 3 = 180 feet

70 MPH * 3.5 = 245 feet

For total stopping distance add the two distances together.