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The stopping distance will be doubled (x2) when the roads are wet and multiplied by ten (x 10 times) when the roads are Icy and snowy.

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Below is a chart showing a system for working out the overall stopping distance in feet (there are about 3.25 feet to a meter).

 Example: 30mph x 2 ½ = 75ft

Thinking distance in feet is the same as the speed you are travelling at.

 Example: 30mph = 30ft thinking distance.

 To calculate the braking distance in feet just deduct the thinking distances from the overall   stopping distance.

 Example: 75ft – 30ft = 45ft.

Calculation for stopping distance is in feet

MPH  Thinking distance  +  Braking =  Overall stopping distance  =  MPH x?

20    20    +   20    =    40 =  20 x 2

30    30    +   45    =    75  =  30 x 2 ½

40    40    +   80    =   120 =  40 x 3

50    50    + 125    =   175 =  50 x 3 ½

60    60    + 180    =   240 = 60 X 4

70    70    +  245   =   315  = 70 x 4 ½

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 Separation Distances

A reasonable rule to apply with good dry roads conditions is a gap of 1 metre per MPH of speed.

 Example: 45 MPH = 45 metre gap (147 feet).

To judge this gap a useful technique is the ‘two second rule’. When the vehicle in front passes an object, say to yourself – ‘only a fool brakes the two second rule’ or one Mississippi two Mississippi’ if you reach the same object before you’ve finished saying it then you are too close.

If a vehicle travelling behind you has a gap of only 1 second, then you will need to increase the gap in front of you to 3 seconds.