Two Miles to Stop a Car? Drivers Unable to Judge Braking Distances Says Survey

LONDON, August 23 -- Gauging the distance it takes to stop a moving vehicle is a vital skill, but some UK motorists' understanding of braking distances is so poor that they claim its takes over two miles to stop their cars.

A new study by motor insurer Highway reveals that most drivers are unable to name the correct braking distances. More worryingly from a safety perspective, even when informed of the correct braking distance, most drivers are simply unable to judge how far that is.

Highway's survey revealed that only 9% of drivers could get close to naming (within 10%) the correct braking distances for a car moving at 30mph, 50mph and 70mph. Of the 250 drivers surveyed, only two actually knew the correct distances in metres for all three speeds.

Results varied wildly with 24 motorists citing braking distances from half a kilometre (0.3 miles) up to 3.5 kilometres (2.18 miles), 37.5 times the correct figure for 70mph.

Having assessed their knowledge of the distances, drivers were then tested on ability to judge these distances. Only 5% of motorists could get close to judging how far this distance was in real terms when asked to mark them out. The majority of drivers (66%) underestimated the distance involved - some by up to three-quarters.

When asked to mark out 23 metres, the stopping distance at 30 mph, distances marked by drivers ranged from 6-41 metres.

When asked to mark out 53 metres, the stopping distance at 50 mph, distances marked ranged from 15-81 metres.

Age played a major part in the knowledge of braking distances with drivers aged 18-30 performing best in this test and over-60s performing worst.

On ability to judge distance, drivers aged 31-50 performed best.

Highway Insurance's managing director Chris Hill commented:

"The Highway Code works on an unspoken assumption that if drivers are told it will take them 53 metres to stop, they can visualise how far this distance actually is. This survey suggests that this assumption is deeply flawed and many motorists' brains simply don't work in this way."

According to the Highway Code, typical stopping distances for a car travelling at 30 mph, 50 mph and 70 mph are 23 metres, 53 metres and 96 meters respectively.

Highway Insurance is one of the UK's leading broker-only motor insurers with over 650,000 customers driving both private and commercial vehicles.

The survey of 250 drivers was carried out by Highway's researchers in Swindon, a representative UK town, during 30-31 July this year.

Notes to Editors:

Highway Insurance

Established over 50 years ago as a motor insurance specialist, Highway has consistently focused its business on relationships with insurance brokers and other intermediaries. In 2003, Highway exited Lloyd's and now underwrites both standard and specialist motor insurance exclusively through Highway Insurance Company Limited.