Braking distanceWorldwide
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311. Braking distance
Braking distance is the distance a vehicle travels from the moment the brakes are applied until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. It is one part of the total stopping distance; the other part is the reaction distance.
Braking distance increases rapidly as speed increases. It is also affected by the road surface, tyres, brakes, vehicle load and gradient. Wet, icy or otherwise slippery roads can significantly increase the distance needed to stop.
Wikimedia.org • Karin Beate Nøsterud • CC BY
What can increase braking distance?
Braking distance can increase because of wet, icy or loose road surfaces, worn tyres, poor brakes, heavy loads and downhill gradients. Drivers should reduce their speed and leave more space when conditions reduce braking performance.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237, wet/icy visibility; national guidance example
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Annex 6, tyres and brakes; national guidance example

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