📏 Stopping distances and the 2-second rule
Thinking, braking and total stopping distances you must know for the test, how to keep a safe gap with the 2- and 4-second rules, and what makes distances longer.
Thinking distance + braking distance = stopping distance
Thinking distance is how far the car travels between you seeing a hazard and your foot reaching the brake (reaction time, about 0.7 seconds for an alert driver). Braking distance is how far the car travels from the moment the brakes act until it stops. Add them together for the overall stopping distance.
| Speed | Thinking | Braking | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 km/h (20 mph) | 6 m | 6 m | 12 m |
| 48 km/h (30 mph) | 9 m | 14 m | 23 m |
| 64 km/h (40 mph) | 12 m | 24 m | 36 m |
| 80 km/h (50 mph) | 15 m | 38 m | 53 m |
| 96 km/h (60 mph) | 18 m | 55 m | 73 m |
| 112 km/h (70 mph) | 21 m | 75 m | 96 m |
The 2-second rule
On a dry road, keep at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front. It works at any speed because the gap grows automatically as you go faster.
- Choose a fixed point ahead: a lamp post, a road sign, a shadow on the road.
- When the rear of the vehicle in front passes it, say: "Only a fool breaks the two-second rule."
- If you reach the point before you finish the sentence, you are too close — ease off and count again.
Wet roads: 4 seconds. Ice: up to 10 times
In the wet, braking distance at least doubles, so double the gap to four seconds. On ice (rare in Malta, but possible abroad) stopping distances can be up to ten times longer. In Malta the most dangerous surface is often the first rain after a long dry spell: oil, rubber and dust mixed with water make the road as slippery as ice in places.
Slow, queuing traffic
When you stop behind another vehicle, stop where you can still see its rear tyres touching the road. This leaves room to drive around it if it breaks down, and reduces the chance of being pushed into it if someone hits you from behind.
What makes stopping distances longer?
- Speed — the biggest factor of all.
- Road surface — wet, oily, gravel, polished stone, painted lines, leaves.
- Tyres — worn tread (legal minimum 1.6 mm), wrong pressures, cracks or bulges.
- Brakes — worn pads, low brake fluid.
- Load — a heavily loaded car, a trailer or roof box needs more distance.
- Downhill roads.
- The driver — tiredness, alcohol, drugs, medicines, distraction (phone!) all increase thinking distance.
