A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Your vehicle keeps moving while you react and then while the brakes work. Seeing how fast those distances add up, especially at higher speeds, shows why you must look far ahead and brake early.
Reaction time
The time it takes to react, think and hit the brakes: about three-quarters of a second. It's also measured in feet traveled, called reaction distance.
These numbers are for education only. Actual stopping distances change with road, weather and vehicle conditions; if the road isn't clear and dry, you'll need more.
At 60 mph you spot a stalled car ahead. Even with good brakes on dry, level pavement, you need about 292 feet to react and stop, almost a football field. Look far ahead so you can brake early and gently.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
On dry, level pavement, what is the approximate total stopping distance at 50 mph?
About 215 feet
About 104 feet
About 292 feet
About 150 feet
Answer: About 215 feet
At 50 mph, total stopping distance (reaction plus braking) is about 215 feet.