Braking and stopping distances

By the end of this topic you can

• You can brake smoothly and stop at the right place.
• You can explain what makes up total stopping distance.
• You can keep at least a two-second following distance.
• You can brake hard correctly in an emergency.
• You can stop correctly for school buses and trains.

What you need to know and understand

• Total stopping distance is the distance you travel while reacting plus the braking distance.
• Braking distance grows much faster than speed. Doubling your speed roughly quadruples the braking distance.
• Wet, snowy or icy roads, worn tires and heavy loads all make stopping distances longer.
• Keep at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead in good conditions, and more in bad weather or behind large trucks.
• Stop at the stop line. If there is none, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk or intersection.
• In Ontario, when coming from behind a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, stop at least 20 metres away.
• If a train is coming, stop at least five metres from the nearest rail or gate. A train may need up to two kilometres to stop.

Smooth, planned stops

1. Look ahead and spot the place you need to stop.
2. Check your mirrors.
3. Ease off the accelerator early.
4. Press the brake firmly and evenly, increasing pressure gently.
5. Ease off slightly just before stopping to avoid a jerk.
6. Hold the brake once stopped.

Emergency braking

Most modern cars have anti-lock brakes (ABS). In an emergency in a car with ABS, press the brake hard and keep pressing. You may feel the pedal pulse and hear clunking noises. That is normal. Keep steering around the hazard if you need to. In an older car without ABS, press firmly but not so hard that the wheels lock. If they lock, ease off slightly, then brake again. Check your owner's manual to see which system your car has.

Measuring your following distance

Pick a fixed point, such as a sign. When the vehicle ahead passes it, count 'one thousand and one, one thousand and two'. If you reach the point before you finish, you are too close. Drop back and count again.

Common mistakes

• Braking late and hard instead of early and smoothly.
• Pumping the brake pedal in a car with ABS.
• Following too closely, especially in rain or snow.
• Stopping past the stop line or across the crosswalk.
• Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.

Test yourself: Braking and stopping distances

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• School Bus Stopping Rules Across Canada