Revision question · Safety margins

Your overall stopping distance comprises thinking distance and braking distance. You're on a good, dry road surface, with good brakes and tyres. What's the typical braking distance at 50 mph?

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Answer options

14 metres (46 feet)

24 metres (79 feet)

38 metres (125 feet)

55 metres (180 feet)

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38 metres (125 feet)This was the right answer

Various factors - such as weather and road conditions, vehicle condition and loading - affect how long it takes you to stop. You also need to add reaction time to this. The overall stopping distance at 50 mph includes a thinking distance of 15 metres (the reaction time before braking starts) plus your braking distance of 38 metres, giving a typical overall stopping distance of 53 metres (175 feet) in good conditions.

Reviewed reading for this question

Separate braking distance from total stopping distanceReviewed guidance summary · The question asks specifically for the 38-metre braking component, not the 53-metre total.

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