Important notes for safe braking

To brake safely, the driver not only needs experience but also needs to be alert and have the ability to react quickly. Let's learn about the factors of distance, braking time as well as some notes on braking techniques to always have safe journeys.

Distance – Braking Time

Braking distance is divided into two parts: braking reflex distance and braking distance. Braking reflex distance is the distance traveled from the moment we perceive danger and the moment we brake immediately.

Braking distance is the distance from the moment you press the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Braking distance is affected by speed more than reaction time. A car traveling at 60 mph will travel about 27 meters per second. But to stop that car takes more than 4.5 seconds and the braking distance is 82 meters. In addition to the actual time from when your car starts braking, there are many other factors that affect the braking process, such as perception time and reaction time, which significantly increase the braking distance.

It takes about ¾ of a second for you to notice the problem and start braking. It also takes another ¾ of a second for you to move your foot to the brake. Adding the perception and reaction times together, your car has traveled 40.2 m before it has slowed from 60 mph.

Therefore, every driver should clearly understand the speed they are traveling at as well as the reaction time to safely brake in unexpected situations.

Brake engineering

1. Look in the rearview mirror

The first step is to observe safety from behind, be careful not to brake suddenly, causing skidding and difficulty controlling the steering wheel. Try to avoid braking in bumpy areas, reduce the throttle and brake before reaching the bumpy area is best, otherwise it is very likely that the brakes will fail and the speed will decrease.

Step on the brake pedal firmly and when you feel the wheels start to slip, gently release the brake pedal. When the wheels stop slipping, step on the brake pedal firmly again until the car stops completely. While braking, the driver can reduce the gear until the car stops completely.

2. Weather conditions

You can’t change the weather, but you can respond by changing your driving style to make yourself safer. If you’re driving a truck or SUV, pay attention to your speed in bad weather. These vehicles have a much higher seating position and center of gravity than other vehicles, so the risk of rolling over is much higher than other vehicles when braking in an emergency.

3. Inertial force

A heavier vehicle means a longer braking distance. So the weight of your vehicle is also an important factor in how well your vehicle brakes.

4. Safe distance

Remember to keep a safe distance from other vehicles in front, to the side and to the rear of your vehicle. To know what distance is safe, follow the “3 second rule”. When the vehicle in front passes an object, such as a sign, start counting to 3. If you pass the landmark before you finish counting, you are moving too close. In bad weather conditions, you should increase this distance to ensure safety and avoid the risk of collision.

5. Tires

Pay attention to the type of tire used to suit the operating conditions. There are many types of tires used to suit different road conditions. Therefore, using the right type of tire will increase performance and ensure better braking distance.

6. Vehicle braking system

Finally, you should choose a car equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This system will help you significantly reduce the braking distance in any weather or road conditions. Whenever you press the brake pedal, the wheels are prone to locking up and losing traction with the road, causing you to lose control and thus increasing the braking distance. Thanks to the ABS system, the wheels will be continuously braked and released to prevent the brakes from locking up, thereby shortening the braking distance as much as possible.

7. Concentration

There are many reasons that can distract you while driving, typically phones, entertainment features, chatting... In addition, alcohol in beer and wine reduces cognitive ability and increases the driver's reaction time, fatigue also has a serious impact on the driver's cognition and reflexes.

According to VNN