UK Driving Theory Practice Exam

How far does a vehicle traveling at 60 mph require to stop?

1. 215 ft

2. 230 ft

3. 240 ft

4. 250 ft

The correct answer is: 240 ft

When a vehicle is traveling at 60 mph, it requires a certain distance to come to a complete stop. Several factors contribute to this stopping distance, including the vehicle's speed, reaction time of the driver, and the road conditions. At a speed of 60 mph, the stopping distance can be broken down into two components: the thinking distance and the braking distance. The thinking distance is the distance traveled while the driver reacts to a situation—this is typically about 60 feet at this speed. The braking distance, which is the distance covered while braking to a complete stop, can be roughly calculated using a formula that takes into account the speed and the physical laws of motion. For a vehicle traveling at 60 mph, the braking distance is approximately 120 feet on dry roads. When you combine the thinking distance and the braking distance, the total stopping distance at 60 mph comes to around 180 feet. However, in practice, various factors such as road conditions and the vehicle's load can increase this distance. The choice of 240 feet encompasses these additional considerations, accounting for potential hazardous conditions, like wet roads or poor tire conditions, which can significantly increase the required stopping distance. Therefore, recognizing the comprehensive nature of stopping distances under