You’ve probably heard your Sydney driving school instructors say countless times that speeding kills, but have you ever wondered why and how? Imagine you’re cruising down an empty road, but approaching an intersection soon, and want to slow down. You’re hitting the brake, but your vehicle doesn’t seem to want to slow down yet, dragging out the gradual decrease in speed. Do you know that this delay is not your overactive mind’s imagination but a fundamental law of physics?
The higher your speed, the exponentially more time it will take for you to slow down the vehicle. It’s a very basic yet critical concept, and yet most drivers don’t pay it any mind. However, if all drivers on the road understood the correlation between speed and stopping distances, it would be possible to avoid accidents and make the roads safer for travel. This post explores the reasons and factors that affect stopping distances and speeds.
The Science Behind Stopping Distance
Speed indeed increases stopping distances. But what is a stopping distance, and how does it matter? Stopping distance is the distance a vehicle travels after you hit the brake and before it comes to a stop. It combines reaction distance and braking distance.
As the name suggests, Reaction distance is the distance your car covers from the moment you notice a hazard to the moment you hit the brakes. When the vehicle is travelling at high speeds, even if the reaction time is a few seconds, the vehicle can travel a considerable distance before any reaction is given.
Braking distance is the ground your vehicle covers from the moment you apply the brakes to the moment your vehicle comes to a full stop. This is pure physics – the energy of a moving vehicle increases in proportion to its speed. If you double your speed, the energy needed to stop the vehicle doesn’t double; it quadruples! So, if you try to stop when driving at high speeds, your braking distance would be much higher and the energy exerted the square of your speed.
This is why, when trying to stop your vehicle at 100km/h, the effort exerted and distance covered for stopping is much higher than when trying to stop at 50km/h.
What Do These Numbers Say
Here’s a numeric example to help you grasp the concept better. Imagine you’re driving at 60km/h. Then the stopping distance of your car would be approximately 45 meters (quite a distance!). Raise this speed to 100km/h, and it starts becoming highly risky. The stopping distance when driving at 100km/h is just double, that is, over 90 meters (almost an American football field!). So, if you’re driving at such high speeds on a highway and the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly, you will need a huge distance (the length of a sports field) to finally come to a stop. Now, isn’t that scary?
Factors That Affect Your Stopping Distance
Many factors influence the stopping distance of a vehicle. Let’s take a look at these factors in brief:
1. Road Conditions
Road conditions have a big impact on the stopping distance of a vehicle. When the roads are wet or icy, your vehicle’s tyres experience reduced traction and grip, which makes it harder for them to stop.
2. Vehicle Conditions
Just like the state of a road affects stopping distances, so does the vehicle’s condition. If the vehicle’s key components are worn and need repair, they can increase the stopping distance. Tyres with less tread cannot grip the road effectively, and stiff brakes can make applying brakes a chore. Whether it’s brake pads or tyre treads, they should be in good condition to give good performance.
3. Driver Awareness
A distracted driver is just as responsible for increased stopping distances as vehicle or road conditions. When the driver is distracted, they might be slow to react to a sudden stop or an incoming hazard, especially in specific road conditions like ice or wet roads. Their procrastination increases the reaction distance, ultimately increasing the total stopping distance too.
4. Vehicle weight
Weight and energy are also important factors in stopping distance. Heavier vehicles, or vehicles carrying heavy loads, need more energy and force to maintain speed and a longer time and distance to stop. So, the stopping distance of a truck or an SUV would naturally be higher than that of a car.
All these factors affect the stopping distance of a vehicle and should be considered when driving, especially in specific road and weather conditions.
Simple Tips to Stay Safe
Now you’re aware of the science behind stopping distances and why the faster you go, the longer it takes for you to stop. However, simply knowing the science is not enough. Applying this knowledge effectively is what keeps you safe. Here are some tips that can help you reduce stopping distances, maintain speed, and stay safe on the road:
- Obey speed limits
Speed limits are set after thorough deliberation to account for safe stopping distances on different roads. Following the set limits can help you stay safer while driving.
- Keep a safe distance
Maintain a safe distance from other cars, especially if you’re driving on unfavourable roads or weather conditions. You can try the three-second rule to maintain an appropriate following distance.
- Stay focused
Put your phone away, set your GPS before you start driving, and stay present. The quicker you react, the less distance you’ll need to stop.
- Maintain your vehicle
A well-maintained car is a safe car. Do regular checks of your brakes and tires, lights, fuel, and other important features before driving.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the relationship between speed and stopping distance is more than just a driving tip; it’s a life-saving habit. By slowing down, staying aware, and maintaining your vehicle, you’re giving yourself the best chance to react safely to anything the road throws your way. You can know more about stopping distances and learn the best driving skills and the safest driving techniques in a reputed Sydney Driving School like Onroad Driving Education. So, next time you’re tempted to push the pedal to the metal, remember: the faster you go, the longer it takes to stop.