How to remember stopping distances

Easy way remember stopping distances for your driving theory test

Learn your highway code stopping distances with this easy to remenber formula

Theory Test Stopping Distances

Here are the stopping distances as quoted in the Highway Code. These distances can be difficult to remember but here is a formula to make it easier

Stopping Distances Formula Easy to Remember.

20 Mph Multiply speed by 2 so 20mph x 2 = 40 feet
30 Mph Multiply speed by 2.5 so 30mph x 2.5 = 75 feet
40 Mph Multiply speed by 3 so 20mph x 3 = 120 feet
50 Mph Multiply speed by 3.5 so 50mph x 3.5 = 175feet
60 Mph Multiply speed by 4 so 60mph x 4 = 240 feet
70 Mph Multiply speed by 4.5 so 70mph x 4.5 = 315 feet

Remembering stopping distances is easy.

How to remember stopping distances.

To remember stopping distances, it’s pretty straightforward 20mph x2, 30mph x 2.5, 40mph x 3 and so on.. Start with 20 mph and multiply that by 2 for the stopping distance, then for 30 mph multiply by 2.5, and just keep going up by half for every additional 10 mph

If the road’s wet, just double those stopping distances, but if you’re dealing with ice or snow, you’ll want to multiply by 10, which means if you’re cruising at 30 mph in the snow, you might need up to 60 car lengths to come to a stop!

Be careful to read the questions correctly on your theory test as you may be asked the thinking distance, the braking distance or the overall stopping distance. Again you can use the same formula, just remember that the thinking distance is always the same as the speed, I.E

20mph thinking distance = 20 ft.

30mph thinking distance = 30 ft.

40mph thinking distance = 40 ft.

And so on.

So at 40 mph the overall stopping distance will be (40 x 3 ) 120 feet so if we deduct the thinking distance which would be 40 feet, this leaves us with the braking distance of 80 feet.

Obviously this wont help much in an emergency, but it is a great way to memorise the figures for your theory test.

Also, be careful with how you read the questions on your theory test because you might need to know the thinking distance, braking distance, or the total stopping distance. The cool thing is you can use the same formula—just remember that the thinking distance matches your speed, so at 20 mph your thinking distance is 20 feet, at 30 mph it’s 30 feet, and at 40 mph, it’s 40 feet. So, when you hit 40 mph, the overall stopping distance comes out to 120 feet (40 times 3), and if you take away the thinking distance of 40 feet, that leaves you with a braking distance of 80 feet. This might not be super helpful in an emergency, but it’s a solid way to lock in those numbers for your theory test.

How long does it take to stop at 30mph?

Have you ever stopped to think about the time it takes to bring your car to a complete halt when driving at 30mph? The information below reveals the duration required for a full stop, considering ideal conditions like a dry road and an attentive driver behind the wheel.

Why You Need To Know Your Driving Stopping Distances

Understanding car stopping distances is crucial, especially when considering how much longer it takes to stop at higher speeds. For instance, at 30 mph, the quoted stopping distance is 75 feet, but at 40 mph, that distance increases by an additional 45 feet, representing more than a 50 percent rise. When traveling at 70 mph, you may need as much space as the length of a football field to bring your vehicle to a stop, assuming you have quick reflexes, reliable brakes, and a dry road surface; in wet conditions, this distance can more than double. It’s important to note that your thinking distance, which is the distance your vehicle travels before you react, is equal to your speed in mph; therefore, at 40 mph, your car will cover 40 feet before your foot even reaches the brake. This explains why you should maintain a two-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front during dry conditions and increase that to four seconds when the roads are wet.

Car crashed as not enough stopping distance

One of the key principles for safe driving is the 2 second rule, which helps maintain safe distances on the road. In dry conditions, it is important to keep at least a 2 second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. This gap should be increased to 4 seconds in wet weather to account for longer stopping distances. A simple way to check this distance is to watch when the car in front passes a fixed object, like a lamppost or a traffic sign, and then mentally say “only a fool breaks the 2 second rule” until you reach that object. If you arrive too soon, you are too close. In heavy rain, repeat the phrase to create a 4 second cushion. In icy conditions, aim for a much larger gap of about 20 seconds or consider leaving your car at home, since braking can be very difficult on ice. For more information on road safety, visit the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents at Rospa.com for helpful tips and guidance to keep you safe while driving.

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Quick Guide table of stopping distances

30 Mph Multiply speed by 2.5 so 30mph x 2.5 = 75 feet
40 Mph Multiply speed by 3 so 20mph x 3 = 120 feet
50 Mph Multiply speed by 3.5 so 50mph x 3.5 = 175feet
60 Mph Multiply speed by 4 so 60mph x 4 = 240 feet
70 Mph Multiply speed by 4.5 so 70mph x 4.5 = 315 feet

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