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Forces
Factors affecting Thinking Distance
To explain how speed, tiredness, distractions and other factors affect a driver’s thinking distance.
What you will learn
How reaction time affects thinking distance
Why tiredness and distractions increase reaction time
How alcohol or drugs can affect reactions
Why greater speed increases thinking distance
How to calculate thinking distance from speed and time
Explanation
Thinking distance is the distance travelled while a driver reacts to a hazard. It equals speed multiplied by reaction time. Higher speed increases thinking distance; tiredness, alcohol, drugs and distractions can increase reaction time. Thinking distance is separate from braking distance.
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