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?

In traffic safety, the reaction distance refers to the distance your vehicle travels while you recognize a hazard and react to it. According to the rule of thumb used in Germany, the reaction distance can be calculated by multiplying your speed in kilometers per hour by the reaction time in seconds and then dividing by 10.

For a speed of 100 km/h and a reaction time of 1 second, the formula would be:

Reaction distance = (Speed x Reaction time) / 10
Reaction distance = (100 km/h x 1 s) / 10 = 10 m

However, this is just the reaction distance. When considering the stopping distance, you must also account for the braking distance, which varies based on road conditions and speed. The total stopping distance is crucial for maintaining safety on the road.

Understanding these distances helps drivers maintain a safe following distance and prepare for emergencies, thereby aligning with the principles outlined in German traffic regulations that emphasize safe driving practices and proactive risk assessment.