You are travelling at 100 km/h and have a reaction time of 1 second. What is the reaction distance according to the rule of thumb?

When traveling at a speed of 100 km/h, your reaction time is a critical factor in determining how far you travel before you react to a situation, like hitting the brakes. The common rule of thumb used in traffic safety calculations indicates that, at this speed, the reaction distance is approximately 30 meters.

This calculation is based on the understanding that a vehicle covers about 28 meters per second at 100 km/h, and when you factor in a reaction time of 1 second, you arrive at a distance of roughly 30 meters. This is important because it highlights the need for maintaining a safe following distance to react in time to unforeseen circumstances, according to traffic safety standards in Germany.

Understanding this concept is essential for safe driving practices, as it emphasizes the significance of being aware of your surroundings and the distance required to come to a stop in emergencies.