STOPPING DISTANCE

                                             “THIS BABY CAN STOP ON A DIME”
                                                   (AND OTHER URBAN MYTHS)
                                               Information compiled by John Del Santo

REACTION TIME : AVERAGE REACTION TIME FOR AN ADULT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE 3/4 OF A SECOND FROM THE TIME THE HAZARD IS SPOTTED, UNTIL THE TIME THE DRIVERS FOOT TOUCHES THE BRAKE PEDAL.
BRAKING DISTANCE TOTAL FEET TRAVELED FROM THE TIME THE DRIVERS FOOT TOUCHES THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP.
TOTAL STOPPING DISTANCE IS A COMBINATION OF REACTION TIME DISTANCE AND BRAKING DISTANCE.
MILES PER HOUR TIMES 1 ½ EQUALS THE FEET PER SECOND THAT THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. (MPH X 1.56 = FPS.

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TIMES BELOW SHOWS BRAKING DISTANCE FOR VEHICLES WITH BETTER BRAKES, OPERATED BY EXPERIENCED DRIVERS

FROM 60 MPH – 0 (DOES NOT INCLUDE REACTION TIME).

TRUCKS
3-AXLE SEMI 210 – 249 FEET
3 AXLE SINGLE-UNIT TRUCK 184 – 252 FEET
2- AXLE SINGLE-UNIT TRUCK WEIGHING LESS THAN 10,000 LBS 155 – 170 FEET

STANDARD SIZE PASSENGER CAR 159 – 165 FEET

INFORMATION FROM Lawyers and Judges publishing. com “vehicle speed and stopping distance computer. “
Large SUVs’ & light trucks (weighing 8,000 – 10,000lbs) must be able to stop within 280 feet of braking distance.
Large SUVs’ and light trucks weighing at least 7700 lbs must be able to stop within 204 – 218 feet.
ALL NEW vehicles weighing less than 7700 lbs, (cold brakes, dry road, new blacktop) requires a minimum braking distance of 230 feet.

Info from Sam Daniel, New Vehicle Effectiveness Dept , US Dept of Transportation NHTSA 6/1/05

MOTORCYCLES

BMW R1200GS 125.2 FEET

Harley Davidson Sportser 114.1 feet

Honda Valkyrie 114.8 feet

INFO FROM MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS WINTER 04/05 PERFORMANCE INDEX

`MOTORCYCLE-TYPE TRIKES RAY,WHO OWNS A TRIKE DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGSTON STATE, AND WHO WORKED WITH THE EVERGREEN SAFETY COUNCIL PREPARING THEIR TRIKE & SIDECAR COURSE, SAID THAT A MOTORCYCLE-TYPE TRIKE( NOT A CAR-ENGINE MADE INTO A TRIKE) SHOULD STOP IN A SLIGHTLY SHORTER DISTANCE THAN A 2-WHEELED MOTORCYCLE OF THE SAME BRAND AND MODEL. THIS IS PROBABLY BECAUSE WHEN A MOTORCYCLE IS BRAKED HARD, IT NOSES TOWARD THE FRONT, AND THE FRONT WHEEL HAS TO DO MOST OF THE BRAKING, AND THEY FOUND DURING THEIR TESTING THAT WHEN A MOTORCYCLE-TRIKE WAS BRAKED HARD THE BACK-END SEEMED TO SETTLE IN SO THAT ALL THREE TIRES WERE BRAKING, WITH THE BACK WHEELS DOING MORE OF THE WORK. (Ray 3/05)

DISCLAIMER AND WARNING :This guide is to provide accurate and authoritative information on this subject. If expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

John Del Santo
http://www.attractworldpeace.com/