Which of the following factors has direct influence on the stopping distance of the passenger car?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
B. The speed and the condition of the road surface.
Explanation
The speed and the condition of the road surface have a direct influence on the stopping distance of a passenger car - answer B. The weight of the passenger (A) and the weight of the vehicle (C) in a passenger car are of secondary importance, because the brakes are designed for a full load.
The braking distance grows with the square of the speed: twice as fast means four times longer, and the road surface determines the grip - on wet asphalt the braking distance is almost twice as long as on dry asphalt, and on ice even ten times longer. On top of this comes the distance travelled during the reaction time. The Road Traffic Act requires you to adjust your speed to the condition and visibility of the road and to the weather conditions, so on a wet or icy roadway you slow down and increase your distance from the vehicle in front.
Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 1 and para. 2 point 3 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)