If a driver is traveling at 60 mph, what is the distance required to come to a complete stop?

If a driver is traveling at 60 mph, what is the distance required to come to a complete stop?

• A. 200 ft
• B. 300 ft
• C. 366 ft
• D. 400 ft

Answer: (C)

To determine the distance required for a vehicle traveling at 60 mph to come to a complete stop, we need to consider several factors such as the vehicle's speed, reaction time, and braking distance. Generally, the stopping distance can be calculated using the formula that combines both the reaction distance (the distance covered during the driver's reaction time) and the braking distance (the distance required to stop once the brakes are applied). At 60 mph, a driver's average reaction time is about 1.5 seconds. During this time, the vehicle continues to travel. The reaction distance can be calculated by converting the speed to feet per second (60 mph is approximately 88 feet per second) and then multiplying by the reaction time: 88 feet/second × 1.5 seconds = approximately 132 feet. After the driver reacts and applies the brakes, the braking distance must be considered. The braking distance increases with the square of the speed. At 60 mph, the braking distance is roughly estimated to be around 240 feet based on standard stopping distance calculations. Adding both components together gives: Reaction distance (132 feet) + Braking distance (240 feet) = approximately 372 feet. Since the options provided round these estimates to the nearest feet,

To determine the distance required for a vehicle traveling at 60 mph to come to a complete stop, we need to consider several factors such as the vehicle's speed, reaction time, and braking distance. Generally, the stopping distance can be calculated using the formula that combines both the reaction distance (the distance covered during the driver's reaction time) and the braking distance (the distance required to stop once the brakes are applied).

At 60 mph, a driver's average reaction time is about 1.5 seconds. During this time, the vehicle continues to travel. The reaction distance can be calculated by converting the speed to feet per second (60 mph is approximately 88 feet per second) and then multiplying by the reaction time:

88 feet/second × 1.5 seconds = approximately 132 feet.

After the driver reacts and applies the brakes, the braking distance must be considered. The braking distance increases with the square of the speed. At 60 mph, the braking distance is roughly estimated to be around 240 feet based on standard stopping distance calculations.

Adding both components together gives:

Reaction distance (132 feet) + Braking distance (240 feet) = approximately 372 feet.

Since the options provided round these estimates to the nearest feet,