What does total stopping time consist of?

Total stopping time is a critical concept in safe driving, especially for commercial drivers. It consists of several components that together determine how long it takes a vehicle to come to a complete stop after a driver perceives a need to stop.

When discussing total stopping time, we start with perception time, which is the duration it takes for a driver to notice a potential hazard or the need to stop. Following this is reaction time, which is how long it takes the driver to respond to the hazard by pressing the brake pedal. After the brakes are applied, there is brake lag, the short delay before the braking system begins to operate. Finally, braking time refers to the actual period it takes for the vehicle to decelerate from the moment the brakes are applied until it stops completely.

Combining all these components—perception time, reaction time, brake lag, and braking time—gives a comprehensive measurement of total stopping time. This understanding is crucial for drivers to gauge safe following distances, assess stopping distances in different conditions, and ensure overall safety on the road.