How long can a vehicle traveling at 50 mph take to stop?

The stopping distance of a vehicle is influenced by several factors, including the vehicle's speed, road conditions, and the driver's reaction time. At a speed of 50 mph, the calculations for stopping distance typically take into account both the perception/reaction time and the braking distance.

When traveling at 50 mph, the average perception/reaction time is about 1.5 seconds. During this time, a vehicle will continue to move forward at speed, covering a distance that can be calculated using the formula: distance = speed x time. Therefore, for an initial 1.5-second reaction time at 50 mph, the vehicle would travel approximately 110 feet before the driver even engages the brakes.

Once the brakes are applied, the braking distance is determined by factors such as vehicle speed and road conditions. On dry pavement, the average braking distance for a vehicle traveling at 50 mph is approximately 120 feet.

When you add the reaction distance (about 110 feet) to the braking distance (approximately 120 feet), the total stopping distance comes out to around 230 feet, which aligns closely with the 229 feet provided in the answer choice.

Understanding these components helps clarify that approximately 229 feet is a reasonable estimate for the total