Stopping distance — South Dakota Permit Test

Total stopping distance is the distance the vehicle travels from the time you realize you must stop until it stops; the faster you go, the more distance you need.

A driver who thinks the car stops the moment they see trouble leaves too little room and hits the car ahead.

Total stopping distance is the distance the vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from the time you realize you must stop until the vehicle stops.

The average perception time for an alert driver is 3/4 second to 1 second.

Even an alert driver travels a long way at speed before the brain even registers the danger.

The average perception time for an alert driver is ¾ second to 1 second.

Reaction time is the time and distance it takes to move your foot from the gas pedal and begin applying the brakes.

The car keeps rolling at full speed while your foot travels to the brake pedal.

Your reaction time—This is the time and distance it takes for you to react and move your foot from the gas pedal and begin applying the brakes.

At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking distance alone can take about 158 feet.

Even after the brakes go on, the car slides half a football field before it stops.

At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 158 feet.

Total stopping distance is measured from when to when?

From when you realize you must stop until the car stops. A driver who thinks the car stops the moment they see trouble leaves too little room and hits the car ahead. South Dakota Driver License Manual, p.50: “Total stopping distance is the distance the vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from the time you realize you must stop until the vehicle stops.”