At a speed of 100 km/h, what distance can you expect to cover before you can stop?

When traveling at a speed of 100 km/h, a driver can expect to cover a significant distance before coming to a complete stop. The stopping distance consists of two main components: the reaction distance and the braking distance.

At this speed, a driver's reaction time—how long it takes to perceive a hazard and begin braking—averages around 1.5 seconds. In that time, the vehicle continues to travel forward. The reaction distance can be calculated by considering speed. At 100 km/h, you travel approximately 27.8 meters per second, so in 1.5 seconds, the vehicle would cover roughly 41.7 meters.

Once braking begins, the vehicle also requires additional distance to stop depending on the road conditions, the vehicle's braking efficiency, and other factors. The braking distance for higher speeds tends to increase more significantly due to the physics of motion.

Combining both the reaction distance and the braking distance at 100 km/h yields an approximate total stopping distance of about 140 meters under normal conditions. Understanding this total stopping distance is crucial for maintaining safe driving practices and ensuring adequate following distances in different weather or traffic conditions.