stopping distances.

[chassyp]

I am going to do my theory test for a motorcycle in a couple of weeks. Can anyone tell me if the answers for the stoppping distances will be in feet or in mtrs? I understand that there is a formula ie 20mph x2 =40 ft stopping distance, 30mph x2.5=75 and so on. If the answers are in metres this formula will not work surely? Many thanks for any help on this.

[Andyvon]

Perhaps you should know the distances in both metric and imperial measurements Chas. We use both on the roads so it makes sense to know the answer in both values.

[wiltsman]

I thought that because all measurements to do with the roads are imperial, i.e. miles, then stopping distances would also be in imperial, that is, in feet.
Anyhow, mph is an imperial term.

[TWR]

You will be asked in Feet as in the highway code Chassyp.

[ABerrant]

TWR - Stopping Distances in the Highway Code are primarily measured in metres (with imperial as an afterthought in brackets) and has been for decades.

http://www.direct.gov...alasset/dg_188029.pdf

[ChuckFickens]

You can provide the answer in either feet or meters, they are both valid answers.

[sunny-dave]

Gas or Electric meters chuck ?

[ChuckFickens]

oppps :)

Metres even..

[darbo1103]

I used to remember it (in feet) as 2x times the speed, i.e 20mph x 2 = 40 ft, then 2.5 x the speed, i.e 30 mph x 2.5 = 75 ft, then 3 x, 3.5 x, 4 x, etc, etc. Worked for me.

[Hymie]

One of the many pointless questions asked of those wanting to gain the right to control a motorised vehicle on the public highway in the UK.

Many, many years ago (before the theory test was introduced), my sister was asked at the end of her practical driving test for the stopping distance at a given speed – which she answered correctly, having learnt the answers ‘parrot fashion’. Her examiner then asked her to indicate an object at approximately that distance in front of the car. She was unable to answer this supplementary question, having no comprehension of such distances.

[Toureman]

As the above 9 answers by non motorcyclists are all wrong perhaps if you take this test.....

http://www.direct.gov...doitonline/dg_4017669

You will find out that in the theory test braking distances are not covered at all. Car and motorcycle stopping distances are so different.

Dont worry about it!

[Toureman]

These are for car drivers who don't know them...............

http://www.direct.gov...alasset/dg_188029.pdf

[ChuckFickens]

^ that's a handy link for those that scroll down to fast and missed it the first time.

[chassyp]

Many thanks for the answers. No thanks for the silly comments however.
Why do people come on Answerbank to give comments? I suppose they have little else to do in there life! Hymie!!!
Rather than being a person “wanting to gain the right to the highway” I am a car driver of 40 years without accidents may I add. Who simply wants to enjoy the freedom of riding a motorbike whilst reducing my costs and fuel consumption of a car! Do you have any comprehension of what the distances are at given speeds? I guess not? I rest my case. Once again thanks for the correct answers and also thanks for the links.

[d9f1c7]

learn them by all means but they are complete bowlocks. they where written in about 1920 when brakes were made out of cardboard! modern cars/bikes can halve most of them.

[chassyp]

Yes I will learn them just jump through the silly hoops! As I say I have been driving a long time and I know what distance I need to stop by experience. I do feel that todays drivers dont take into account the distance at all. I think they drive thinking they can stop when they see the drivers break light come on! Which is not often the case. Perhaps they should be thinking what if the car in front had a blow out and spun round to face them!! Ity scares me the way the people drive today.