GUIDE
UK Stopping Distances Guide
Understand the factors behind stopping distance rather than treating the figures as isolated trivia.
Stopping distance has two parts
Thinking distance is the distance travelled before braking begins. Braking distance is the distance travelled after the brakes are applied. Both can increase significantly when conditions worsen.
What increases stopping distance
- Higher speed.
- Wet, icy or loose surfaces.
- Poor tyres or brakes.
- Driver tiredness, distraction or impairment.
- Heavy loads and large vehicles.
- Insufficient following distance.