Forces - 5.6.3.3 Factors Affecting Braking Distance 1 (GCSE Physics AQA)

Factors Affecting Braking Distance 1

Adverse Conditions

• Adverse conditions can have a large effect on the stopping distance of a vehicle. Usually, they will lead to an increase in both the thinking and braking distances. Overall, these two will combine, resulting in a larger overall stopping distance in adverse conditions.
• Adverse conditions include wet or icy conditions, which will increase the stopping distance of a vehicle. The ice and rain on the road can lead to the car skidding, or ‘aquaplaning’. This can be very dangerous because the driver may lose control of the car, resulting in a car crash.

Vehicle Conditions

It is very important for the driver to keep their vehicle safe and functioning. Two things of particular importance are:

• Condition of Brakes – the driver of a car must keep their brakes in good condition. If the brakes aren’t in good condition, then the vehicle won’t stop quickly enough in an emergency.
• Condition of Tires – the driver of a car must keep their tyres in good condition. If the tyres aren’t in good condition, they can contribute to skidding in adverse weather conditions.

Emergency Stops and Safety

• Whether a driver is stopping in an emergency or not, they need to be able to stop safely. This means that they do not cause harm to themselves or others.
• We know that the faster a vehicle is travelling, the longer distance it takes to stop. This can be affected by a variety of factors, some of which we’ve already explored. These include alcohol, weather conditions and tiredness.
• The stopping distance of a vehicle can affect the safety of the driver. If a vehicle has a very large stopping distance, then the driver may have a difficult time stopping the vehicle before an accident occurs. This is why we have speed limits, so that drivers can stop safely when necessary.

Vehicle Stopping Distances

Different vehicles have different stopping distances. This is due to the size of the vehicle, the weight of the vehicle and even the grip on the tyres. For AQA exams, you will need to know the stopping distances for vehicles over a variety of speeds.