Stopping distance

Definition

The total distance travelled from the moment a driver recognises a need to stop until the vehicle comes to rest.

Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR

Specification 4.5.6.3.1, 4.5.6.3.3 · Paper 2

The total distance a vehicle travels from a driver noticing a need to stop until the vehicle comes to rest.
The stopping distance runs from the moment the driver notices the need to stop to the moment the vehicle comes to rest—not just from the moment braking begins.
Revise: Stopping distance
The total distance travelled from recognising a hazard to coming to rest; it equals thinking distance plus braking distance.
Revise: Factors affecting braking distance 1

1
Do not assume that doubling speed doubles stopping distance.
2
Check whether a graph shows braking distance or total stopping distance before reading or comparing values.
3
If a question gives thinking distance and braking distance, add them to find stopping distance; do not choose one of them.

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Specification 2.28, 2.29, 2.32P · Paper 1

The total distance travelled by a vehicle from the moment a driver becomes aware of a hazard until the vehicle comes to rest.
The vehicle is still moving, so it covers some distance before it finally comes to rest. This complete journey from noticing the hazard to stopping is the stopping distance.
Revise: Stopping Distance Components
Revise: Factors Affecting Stopping Distance
The total distance travelled from detecting a hazard until the vehicle has come to rest.
Revise: Braking Distance Estimates

Specification P8.1e, P8.1f · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)

The total distance a vehicle travels from when a driver notices a hazard until the vehicle comes to rest.
Speed affects both parts of stopping distance, making it especially important. Poor road conditions may lengthen braking distance even for an alert driver, while tiredness may lengthen thinking distance even when the brakes and tyres are sound. If the available distance to a hazard is shorter than the stopping distance, the vehicle cannot stop before reaching it.
Revise: Stopping distance factors
The total distance travelled from first noticing a need to stop until the vehicle has stopped.
Revise: Stopping distance variation

Paper 1, Paper 2

The total distance travelled between detecting a hazard and becoming stationary; it equals thinking distance plus braking distance.
The total stopping distance consequently more than doubles.
Revise: Reaction Time, Stopping Distances and Road Safety