de stopafstandberekening

Translation

stopping-distance rule of thumb

Rule of thumb: take the speed in tens. Reaction distance is that number times three, braking distance is its square; together the stopping distance. At 80 km/h: 8×3 = 24 plus 8×8 = 64, giving 88 metres. The table on this site gives 53 metres dry and 72 wet at 80 km/h. The difference is deliberate: the rule of thumb assumes weak deceleration and rounds up, so that it still holds on a wet surface with mediocre tyres. Use it to estimate in your head, and the table to understand where the number comes from. What holds in both: double the speed and the braking distance becomes four times as long, because it grows with the square. Reaction distance grows only in direct proportion.

How it sounds in the exam

Wat is de stopafstand bij 80 km/h volgens de vuistregel?

What is the stopping distance at 80 km/h by the rule of thumb?

Related terms

• stopafstand
• remweg
• reactieafstand
• vertraging
• nat wegdek