1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
Stopping distance changes when thinking distance or braking distance changes, with speed linking to both parts of the total distance travelled.
- Syllabus
- 2024
- Objective
- 1.20
- Level
- —
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing17%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1P
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Determine
- Discuss
- Describe
- Identify
- State
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Putting road, tyre or brake condition under thinking distance instead of braking distance.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1P [] · TZ02(b)(iii)[ 1 ]1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
November 2025Paper1P [] · TZ02(b)(ii)[ 1 ]1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
May 2025Paper1PR [] · TZ01(b)(iii)[ 1 ]1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
May 2025Paper1PR [] · TZ01(b)(ii)[ 2 ]1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
Jan 2023Paper1P [null] · TZ05(b)[ 1 ]1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
Practice this objective
Coverage 2019–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
1.20 Factors affecting stopping distance
Describe the factors affecting vehicle stopping distance, including speed, mass, road condition and reaction time
Concept essentials
- Increasing speed increases both the distance travelled while reacting and the distance needed to brake.
- Thinking distance depends on reaction time as well as speed.
- Braking distance depends on grip, braking effectiveness, vehicle mass, slope and speed.
- Driver impairment affects the reaction part of stopping distance, not the mechanical braking part.
- Road and vehicle conditions affect how effectively the vehicle slows after the brakes are applied.