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Stopping Distance Calculator
See how speed and road conditions drastically affect your ability to stop safely. Use this tool to understand the physics of braking distance.
Metric (km/h)
50km/h
0100200
1.5s
Alert (0.5s)Average (1.5s)Tired (3.0s)
Average driver reaction time is typically between 1.0 and 1.5 seconds.
Understanding the Physics
Total stopping distance is made up of two components:
- Reaction Distance: The distance you travel while your brain processes the hazard and your foot moves to the brake pedal. At 100km/h (62mph), you travel about 28 meters (92 ft) every single second.
- Braking Distance: The distance it takes for the car to physically stop once brakes are applied. This increases exponentially with speed - doubling your speed quadruples your braking distance.
Estimated Distance
33.1m
7.4 car lengths
ThinkingBraking
20.8 m12.3 m
Thinking Distance20.8 m
Distance traveled while you react to the hazard.
Braking Distance12.3 m
Distance traveled after hitting the brakes until physically stopped.
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