Health and Safety

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Stopping Distances

Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. You should leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops.

The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances diagram below)

Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying fast traffic. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads

Remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop.

20 MPH
	6 m  +  6 metres	= 12 metres (40 feet) or 3 car lengths
30 MPH
	9 metres + 14 metres	= 23 metres (75 feet) or 6 car lengths
40 MPH
	12 metres   +  24 metres	= 36 metres (120 feet) or 9 car lengths
50 MPH
	15 metres      +        38 metres	= 53 metres (175 feet) or 13 car lengths
60 MPH
	18 metres          +            55 metres	= 73 metres (240 feet) or 18 car lengths
70 MPH
	21 metres              +                 75 metres	= 96 metres (315 feet) or 24 car lengths
Thinking Distance Braking Distance Average car length = 4 metres

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