Shortest Stopping Distances In Metres And Feet

            MPH      Thinking      Braking         Overall                

                          Distance      Distance  Stopping   Distance           

           20            6     20            6    20             12    40  

           30             9     30          14    15            .23    75                 

           40           12     40          24    80             36    120               

           50           15     50          38    125           53    175              

           60           18     60          55    180           73    240              

           70           21     70          75    245           96    315              

On  a dry road, a good car with good brakes and tryres and an    alert driver will stop In the   distances shown. Remember these are the shortest stopping distances.Stopping distances    increase greatly with wet roads, poor brakes and tyres and slippery roads, tired  drivers                               

These drivers are all travelling at the same speed and have bunched together.This is dangerous and unnecessary.All that was needed was for some of the drivers to adjust their speed.They didn’t,and in consequence are following too closely and in formation with each other.                   

One of the biggest causes of motorway crashes is the lack of seperation (following)distance between other vehicles.Many drivers are seen day and night,driving too close to the vehicle in front with no margin for safety regardless of the weather conditions,and the volume and speed of traffic on the motorway.

This foolhardy attitude is based on the misapprehension that the vehicle in front can’t stop dead.If the vehicle in front does stop dead and you are following too close behind it,YOU WILL HIT IT.You should always allow the minimum stopping distance as shown in the highway code,between you and the car in front.