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.
As you can see if you start from 20 mph and multiply by 2 then you get the stopping distances for 20 Mph, then for 30 mph multiply by 2.5 and so on, just start at 20 x 2 and go up by half for each additional 10 mph. so 20mph x2, 30mph x 2.5, 40mph x 3 and so on.
Double these distances for a wet road surface. And for Ice or snow multiply by 10 so in the snow at 30 mph it will take you about 60 car lengths to 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.
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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.
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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