Total stopping distance is made up of which components?

Total stopping distance is made up of which components?

• A. Reaction time, braking time and perception time
• B. Reaction time, perception time, and braking time
• C. Braking time only
• D. Perception time only

Answer: (A)

Total stopping distance is the sum of the distance you travel from the moment you notice a hazard until you come to a stop. This includes perception time (the moment you recognize the hazard), reaction time (the moment you move your foot and apply the brakes), and braking time (the period during which the car slows to a stop). These three parts together account for the entire distance traveled before stopping, so all three times are required to determine the total stopping distance. If you only counted one part, you’d miss a portion of the distance the car covers before stopping.

Total stopping distance is the sum of the distance you travel from the moment you notice a hazard until you come to a stop. This includes perception time (the moment you recognize the hazard), reaction time (the moment you move your foot and apply the brakes), and braking time (the period during which the car slows to a stop). These three parts together account for the entire distance traveled before stopping, so all three times are required to determine the total stopping distance. If you only counted one part, you’d miss a portion of the distance the car covers before stopping.