You are travelling at 50 km/h, have a reaction time of 1 second, and brake normally. What is the stopping distance according to the rule of thumb?

To calculate the stopping distance while traveling at 50 km/h, we need to consider both the reaction distance and the braking distance.

1. Reaction Distance: At 50 km/h (approximately 14 m/s), with a reaction time of 1 second, the reaction distance is about 14 meters. This is the distance you travel during the reaction time before you start braking.

2. Braking Distance: The rule of thumb is to square the speed in meters per second and divide by 2. Thus, for 50 km/h, the braking distance is (14 m/s)² / 2, which equals 98 meters or about 26 meters when adjusted properly for normal braking conditions at this speed. However, combining the reaction distance with the braking distance provides a total stopping distance.

So the total stopping distance combines your reaction distance and your braking distance, amounting to approximately 40 meters.

Understanding this calculation is crucial for safe driving and adhering to German traffic regulations, which emphasize the need for drivers to maintain a safe following distance and be prepared to stop in time for obstacles or traffic changes.