Factors Affecting Stopping Distance Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

Which factors affect the thinking distance of a vehicle?

The speed of the vehicle and the driver's reaction time.

Which factors affect the braking distance of a vehicle?

Speed, mass of the vehicle, state of the brakes, state of the road, and the friction between the tyres and the road.

Which factors increase a driver's reaction time?

Drugs, alcohol, tiredness and distractions such as a mobile phone or loud music.

How does a greater vehicle mass affect the stopping distance?

It increases the braking distance — there is more kinetic energy to remove for the same braking force.

True or false? Worn brakes and a wet road increase the thinking distance.

False. They increase the braking distance; thinking distance depends only on speed and reaction time.

True or false? An icy road increases the braking distance because there is less friction between the tyres and the road.

True. Less friction means a smaller braking force, so the car travels further before stopping.