Braking
Braking action involves
perception time
and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the
brake pedal. That’s
perception time.
Then you have to bring up your foot and
do it. That’s
reaction time.
Average
reaction time
is about
3/4
of a
second. But that’s only an average.
It
might be less with one driver and as
long as two or three seconds
or
more
with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all
play a part.
So
do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in
3/4
of a second,
a vehicle moving at
60
mph
(100
km/h)
travels
66
feet
(20
m). That could. be a
lot of distance in an emergency,
so
keeping enough space between your
vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the surface
of
the road (whether it’s pavement
or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet,
dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of
your brakes.
Most drivers treat their brakes with
care. Some, however, overwork the
braking system with poor driving habits.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some
people drive in spurts
-
heavy
acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-
rather than keeping pace
with traffic. This is a mistake. Your
brakes
may
not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will
wear out much faster
if
you do a lot
of heavy braking.
your left foot rest lightly on the brake
pedal
while
driving.
Don’t “ride” the brakes by letting
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