What is the stopping distance at 20 mph?
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What Is the Stopping Distance at 20 mph?
What Is the Stopping Distance at 20 mph?
If you're driving at 20 mph, the official Highway Code stopping distance is 12 metres. That's made up of:
Thinking distance: 6 metres
Braking distance: 6 metres
Total stopping distance: 12 metres
This figure assumes you're driving a well-maintained car on a dry road with good tyres and brakes, and that you're alert and react promptly to a hazard.
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How Far Is 12 Metres?
How Far Is 12 Metres?
Twelve metres is roughly:
Around three average family cars parked bumper to bumper
About the length of a double-decker bus
It may not sound like a long way, but in a busy town or residential street, it can be the difference between stopping safely and hitting a pedestrian, cyclist or another vehicle.
Why Doesn't a Car Stop Immediately?
Why Doesn't a Car Stop Immediately? - Many people think braking begins the instant they see a hazard, but that's not how it works. Before your foot even touches the brake pedal, your brain has to:
Spot the hazard
Recognise there's a problem
Decide what to do
Move your foot from the accelerator to the brake
During this time, your car continues moving. At 20 mph, you'll travel around 6 metres before you even start braking. This is known as your thinking distance.
Once you apply the brakes, the car needs another 6 metres to come to a complete stop. This is your braking distance.
Together, these two distances give the total stopping distance of 12 metres.
Can the Stopping Distance Be Longer?
Absolutely. The Highway Code figures are based on ideal conditions. In the real world, stopping distances can increase significantly.
Your stopping distance may be much longer if:
The road is wet, icy or covered in mud
Your tyres are worn or under-inflated
Your brakes aren't working efficiently
Your vehicle is heavily loaded
You're travelling downhill
You're tired or distracted, increasing your thinking distance
Even at just 20 mph, these factors can dramatically increase the distance needed to stop safely.
Why This Matters for the Theory Test
Why This Matters for the Theory Test
Stopping distances are among the most commonly tested topics in the UK Theory Test. You should know that:
Thinking Distance and Braking Distance = Total Stopping Distance
So at 20 mph - thinking distance is 6 metres, braking distance is 6 metres so the total stopping distance is 12 metres
Remember that these are minimum stopping distances in good conditions. Never assume your car will always stop within these distances.
Stopping distances and driving
At 20 mph, the official stopping distance is 12 metres. While that might seem short, it still takes time for your brain to react and for your vehicle to come to a halt.
Keeping a safe following distance, staying alert and adjusting your driving for the conditions will always give you the best chance of stopping safely when it matters most.