29 September 2014
4 Mins read

British motorists ‘stopping short’

Many of the UK’s motorists are making potentially dangerous assumptions regarding stopping distances, according to a survey from Kwik Fit.

Almost half (45 per cent) of British motorists are substantially underestimating stopping distances when travelling at speed, which is putting themselves and other road users at risk, according to new research from Kwik Fit.

The results of the survey revealed that when driving at 70mph, on average drivers misjudged stopping distances by a startling 18.9 metres – the equivalent of the length of five cars combined. Only one in ten motorists cited the distance as being between 91 to 100 metres, which matches the Highway Code’s stipulations.

Worryingly, around 15 per cent – 5.5 million drivers – gave the stopping distance at 70mph as being 50 metres, which is half of the actual figure. Conversely, 13 per cent overstated the difference, while 31 per cent confessed to having no idea.

Kwik Fit suggests the lack of knowledge surrounding stopping distances could be one of the reasons behind motorists driving too closely to each other.

The study revealed that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of drivers are under the impression that the recommended distance between vehicles driving at 70mph is 30 metres or less, but the average discovered by the poll is 52.6 metres. This figure is ten metres shorter than the recommended distance of 62.6 metres – based on leaving at least a two-second gap between cars.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “Many accidents appear to be unavoidable, but giving other cars the right amount of distance does a great deal to minimise the risks.
It’s vital that drivers know their stopping distances.

“We all learnt them for our driving test, but these are figures which should stay with every driver throughout their motoring years, as they may one day save them from an accident.”

The survey revealed that even at slower speeds, a large proportion of drivers are making incorrect assumptions. For example, at 60mph, the average motorists underestimated overall stopping distances by 10.7 metres and 4.1 metres while driving at 50mph.

Kwik Fit believes drivers need greater education regarding this issue and it could encourage them to keep the recommended distance between themselves and the car in front.

Posted by Fred Mason