The images below present two scenarios to illustrate braking and stopping rates in both dry and wet conditions.
Scenario 1: Braking and stopping in dry conditions
The road is dry, you have a modern vehicle with good brakes and tyres. A child runs onto the road 45 metres ahead of you while you are travelling in a 60km/hour zone. You brake hard.
A vehicle travelling at 50km/hour will travel approximately 35 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed will stop in time.
A vehicle travelling at 55km/hour will travel approximately 40 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed will stop in time.
A vehicle travelling at 60km/hour will travel approximately 45 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed could either just miss or just hit the child.
A vehicle travelling at 65km/hour will travel approximately 51 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 32km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 70km/hour will travel approximately 57 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 46km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 75km/hour will travel approximately 64 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 57km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 80km/hour will travel approximately 69 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 66km/hour
Scenario 2: Braking and stopping in wet conditions
The road is wet, you have a modern vehicle with good brakes and tyres. A child runs onto the road 45 metres ahead of you while you are travelling in a 60km/hour zone. You brake hard. Will you stop in time?
A vehicle travelling at 50km/hour will travel approximately 40 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed will stop in time.
A vehicle travelling at 55km/hour will travel approximately 46 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 14km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 60km/hour will travel approximately 54 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 32km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 65km/hour will travel approximately 60 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 44km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 70km/hour will travel approximately 67 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 53km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 75km/hour will travel approximately 75 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 63km/hour
A vehicle travelling at 80km/hour will travel approximately 84 metres before coming to a complete stop.
A vehicle travelling at this speed would hit the child at 70km/hour