STOPPING A CAR

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6545, 18 November 1924, Page 2

STOPPING A CAR

Here is a list of the shortest distances at which a motor car with two brakes can be stopped when going at certain speeds:— 10 miles an hour .. ~ Oft. 20 miles an hour .. .. 30ft. 30 miles an hour .. .. 82ft. 40 miles an hour .. .. 145 ft. 50 miles -an hour .... * 227 ft. The belief might prevail that the difficulty in stopping a car increases merely in proportion to the speed. The fact is, other things being equal, it increases with the square of the speed. Besides speed, momentum, or the weight behind the car, declivity, and condition of the road have much to do with the stopping of a car.

No matter how hard the brakes are applied, even if the wheels are locked, the car’s momentum, increasing the speed, is going to push it along until it comes to a definite halt. • Three other essentials must be considered. They are:-r----1. Brakes must be in perfect condition. 2. The' driver’s judgment of distance and time must be accurate, 3. Variance in weight and ' momentum of the.car must be considered.