The stopping distance of a car or motor vehicle is calculated using the formula Stopping distance = Braking distance Reaction distance. The speed in kilometers per hour is used to calculate the braking distance. The formula is: Stopping distance = (km/h / 10)². The calculation of the reaction distance is Reaction distance = (speed / 10) * 3.
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Stopping distance: Table
| km/h | Stopping distance | for emergency braking |
|---|---|---|
| 30 km/h | 18 m | 14 m |
| 50 km/h | 40 m | 28 m |
| 70 km/h | 70 m | 46 m |
| 100 km/h | 130 m | 80 m |
| 130 km/h | 208 m | 124 m |
| 180 km/h | 378 m | 216 m |
Braking distance: Table
| km/h | Braking distance | for emergency braking |
|---|---|---|
| 30 km/h | 9 m | 5 m |
| 50 km/h | 25 m | 13 m |
| 70 km/h | 49 m | 25 m |
| 100 km/h | 100 m | 50 m |
| 130 km/h | 169 m | 85 m |
| 180 km/h | 324 m | 162 m |
Reaction path: Table
| km/h | Reaction path |
|---|---|
| 30 km/h | 9 m/s |
| 50 km/h | 15 m/s |
| 70 km/h | 21 m/s |
| 100 km/h | 30 m/s |
| 130 km/h | 39 m/s |
| 180 km/h | 54 m/s |
All information is without guarantee
Use calculator:
- Select whether you want to calculate the stopping distance, the braking distance or the reaction distance.
- Enter the speed of the vehicle in kilometers per hour.
- Click on
Stopping distance formula:
Calculation formula: Stopping distance (in meters) = Braking distance Reaction distance
In the case of emergency braking, the emergency braking distance is used.
Example calculation: A car is traveling at a speed of 50 km/h.
- Braking distance = (50 / 10) * (50 / 10) =52 = 25 m
- Reaction distance = (50 / 10) * 3 = 15 m/s
- Stopping distance = 25 m 15 m/s = 40 m
Braking distance formula:
Calculation formula: Braking distance (in meters) = (speed / 10) * (speed / 10)
In the case of emergency braking, the normal braking distance is halved.
Reaction distance formula:
Calculation formula: Reaction distance (in meters per second) = (speed / 10) * 3
Information
The road to a driver's license is filled with theory and practice. Before you start practicing, you first have to take numerous lessons. Mathematics also plays a certain role in driving. During driving lessons, participants repeatedly come across the terms stopping distance, braking distance and reaction time. In order to obtain a driver's license, learner drivers must be familiar with these three points. Unfortunately, over time their meaning and calculation is always forgotten. There is a rule of thumb that can be used to calculate each of the three distances. What exactly the terms mean and how they relate to each other is explained in the following article.
What is the stopping distance?
To calculate the stopping distance, you first need the braking distance. In general, the stopping distance is the distance that the vehicle travels until it actually comes to a standstill. This is why the stopping distance is longer than the braking distance. It can be calculated in two different ways. Either using the braking distance or the reaction time.
Stopping distance = reaction distance Braking distance
This rule of thumb is not only taught in theory at driving schools, but is also put into practice during a driving lesson. This is the so-called hazard braking. The stopping distance is mainly influenced by the condition of the road surface. The distance is much shorter on dry roads and much longer on wet roads.
What is the braking distance?
The braking distance is the distance that the car travels even though the brakes have been applied. The braking distance is the distance from the braking process to the actual standstill. The calculation also depends on the speed of the vehicle.
Braking distance = (speed driven (meters)/10) x (speed driven (meters)/10)
Depending on the speed, there is a specific energy that keeps a car, truck or motorcycle moving. This energy must first be dissipated before it can actually come to a standstill. In addition, the braking distance can increase depending on the condition of the road surface. Especially in the fall and winter, wet and slippery roads are inevitable. The weather can also increase the braking distance. The tires also play a role. Worn tires can transmit less braking force than new ones.
What is the reaction time?
The last point deals with reaction time. Basically, this refers to the distance that a vehicle can cover as soon as the driver realizes that he has to brake. The average reaction time is around 0.1 seconds. Depending on your mental or physical condition, this can be longer.
Reaction distance (meters) = (speed / 10) x 3
Noise or taking questionable medication can drastically reduce reaction time.
Why is this important for a driver?
There is not just one car on a road, but several. Caution is very important here. Because accidents happen on the road every day. The exact braking distances or stopping distances cannot be calculated in real time. However, they are always in the back of the driver's mind. You automatically have to slow down on wet or slippery roads.
Conclusion
Stopping distance, braking distance and reaction time are three things that everyone should have learned in driving school. In practice, they are usually practiced in the form of emergency braking. In real traffic, the distance cannot simply be calculated. However, the components help you to adapt better to the traffic in order to avoid accidents. What many people don't immediately bear in mind is the condition of the road. When it rains or snows, the distances become longer. Drivers should press harder on the brakes. Otherwise, you should always be careful on the roads.
