Massachusetts Permit Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The total stopping distance when driving at a speed of 60 miles per hour includes both the reaction distance and the braking distance.

At this speed, a driver's reaction time is typically about 1.5 seconds. During this time, the vehicle travels a distance based on its speed. The reaction distance can be calculated using the formula: Reaction Distance = Speed (in feet per second) × Reaction Time. At 60 mph, the vehicle moves approximately 88 feet per second (since there are 5280 feet in a mile and 3600 seconds in an hour). Therefore, the reaction distance would be about 132 feet (88 feet/second × 1.5 seconds).

The braking distance is influenced by various factors, including vehicle speed, road conditions, and the effectiveness of the brakes. At 60 mph, the braking distance is approximately 160 feet under ideal conditions.

When you add the reaction distance (132 feet) to the braking distance (160 feet), the total stopping distance comes out to approximately 292 feet. This figure illustrates how speed greatly impacts stopping distance—both through the time it takes for a driver to react and the distance needed to come to a complete stop.

Understanding this calculation is critical for safe driving