Braking & Stopping Distance
Reaction + braking distance, speed relationship
Brake fade occurs when brakes overheat from prolonged use, reducing their stopping power.
⛔ Braking & Stopping Distance Cheat Sheet
Key facts from this topic. Print this page for quick offline reference.
TRUE: Total stopping distance equals reaction distance plus braking distance.
Total stopping distance = reaction distance (distance traveled during driver reaction time) + braking distance (distance to stop after brakes are applied).
TRUE: When speed doubles from 30 km/h to 60 km/h, the braking distance increases approximately four times.
Braking distance is proportional to the square of speed.
TRUE: The average reaction time for a driver is about 1 second.
Average reaction time is about 0.
TRUE: Wet roads can increase braking distance by approximately 1.5 to 2 times compared to dry roads.
Wet road surfaces reduce tire friction significantly.
TRUE: Pumping the brakes rapidly is the correct emergency braking technique for vehicles without ABS.
For vehicles WITHOUT ABS, pumping (cadence braking) helps prevent wheel lockup while maintaining some braking force.
TRUE: For a vehicle with ABS, you should press the brake pedal firmly and hold it during an emergency stop.
With ABS, press the brake pedal as firmly as possible and HOLD it.
TRUE: Driving downhill increases braking distance because gravity works against the brakes.
On downhill slopes, gravity accelerates the vehicle, requiring more braking force and distance to stop.
TRUE: At 100 km/h on a dry road, the total stopping distance is approximately 100 meters.
At 100 km/h: reaction distance is about 28m (1 second), braking distance is about 70m on dry road.
TRUE: A heavier vehicle requires more braking distance than a lighter vehicle at the same speed.
Heavier vehicles have more kinetic energy and therefore require more braking force and distance to stop.
TRUE: Brake fade occurs when brakes overheat from prolonged use, reducing their stopping power.
Brake fade is the loss of braking effectiveness due to overheating, typically from prolonged use on long downhills.
FALSE: If speed doubles, braking distance approximately doubles.
If speed doubles, braking distance approximately QUADRUPLES (4x).
FALSE: ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) reduces the actual braking distance on dry roads.
ABS does NOT necessarily reduce braking distance on dry roads — it may even slightly increase it.
FALSE: Engine braking alone is sufficient to stop a vehicle in an emergency.
Engine braking alone provides gradual deceleration but is NOT sufficient for emergency stops.
FALSE: Tailgating reduces your reaction distance because you are closer to the vehicle ahead.
Tailgating does NOT reduce reaction distance — reaction distance depends on speed and reaction time, not following distance.
FALSE: Tire condition has little effect on braking distance.
Tire condition significantly affects braking distance.