Braking distance estimates way off Highway Code guides
New research has revealed a significant gap between what drivers believe their braking distance to be and what the Highway Code suggests.
In most cases though, drivers are overestimating the time it will take to stop.
According to a survey of more than 10,000 drivers carried out by the AA’s Accident Assist team, the expected braking distance when travelling at 20mph was 44m. According to the Highway Code though it would take 12m to stop when travelling at 20mph.
Meanwhile, drivers estimated braking distances to be 59m, 75m, 90m and 105m when travelling at 30mph, 40mph, 50mph and 60mph. This compares to the Highway Code’s estimates of 23m, 36m, 53m and 73m when travelling at those speeds.
At 70mph hour the difference between driver estimates and the Highway Code was 120m to 96m.
Leave more room
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “Considering the advancement of brakes, it is somewhat surprising that drivers overestimated the typical stopping distance of a car. Interestingly, people believe it takes longer to consider the surroundings and react accordingly than the Highway Code suggests.
“This only highlights the need for drivers to leave more room between themselves and the vehicle in front. While there is a good chance the brakes will bring the car to a stop, you are relying on the attentiveness of the driver to react in time.
“As well as leaving as much space as possible, staying alert, keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road are key to avoiding a crash. Around two fifths of crashes we attended last year involved a vehicle hitting another in moving traffic.”
