(It's not that humans are incapable of judging distance accurately, it's just because our sensation of speed is dulled by the fact that we are sitting in a quiet, comfortable car.)
So, if we want to accurately judge distance to drive safer, here is a useful piece of information to know: When traveling at 50 km/h in dry conditions, it can take an average car approximately 24 metres (78 feet) to stop.
- Forget what you think about your superior foot-eye coordination or ABS brakes – physics is in control here and you get 24 metres as the minimum stopping distance. (That's assuming that you actually have good foot-eye coordination and you can put down your coffee in time and have a car in perfect operating condition and are not driving in rain and snow). (Source http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie).
- Park your car at the curb and then measure. Use a steady, full pace (which is slightly less than a metre for most people) and count off at least 24 paces. Or just look at the property lines. In a city where property frontages are 50 feet each, you'll need one and a half properties to stop. Or use sidewalk squares – since most sidewalk squares are a uniform length (often they are 4 or 5 feet long), count off the required number of sidewalk squares. Once you know the distance, mark it somehow and then sit in your car and observe how far away it is from your car.
- See for yourself: Take your car out to an empty road and drive at a steady 50 km/h. Then, when you pass a fixed point (such as a fence post), try to stop your car as quickly as possible without locking up your brakes. Then get out of your car and see for yourself what the distance is. The distance will surprise you and should alert you to the distance required when driving on busy streets.
- One of the most practical tips to use while driving (to keep your speed in check) is to use the "two second rule". The two second rule advises that all drivers keep a minimum distance away from vehicles in front of them under optimum conditions (and increase that distance to three or even four seconds when the weather is bad). To apply the two second rule while you drive, choose a fixed point beside the road (like a tree or a telephone pole) and watch the car in front of you as it passes that fixed point. As soon as its rear bumper passes the fixed point, start counting – "one Mississippi, two Mississippi" – and see when your front bumper passes the same fixed point. If you're like most drivers, you'll pass the tree or pole in one or less seconds!
- The distances we've covered are only for regular city travelling at 50 km/h. It's important to remember that as your car speeds up, your distance required to stop increases, too.
Even when we're extra careful, collisions still happen. When they do, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass and we'll help you get your car fixed up and back on the road quickly and safely.
