'Urgent change needed' to Highway Code stopping distances

27/07/2017 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

New research suggests the average thinking time before breaking is more than double that set out in the Highway Code, prompting calls for the Government to increase its stopping distances ‘as a matter of urgency’.




Road safety charity, Brake, asked transport research agency TRL to provide evidence on the time taken by car drivers to perceive, recognise and react to emergency situations.

TRL referred to academic literature and concluded that the average thinking time is 1.5 seconds - more than double the 0.67 seconds set out in the Highway Code.

Brake said this means average total stopping distance - including thinking and braking distance - is an extra 2.75 car lengths (11 metres) at 30mph and an extra 3.75 car lengths (15 metres) at 40mph, compared with the distances used in the Code. This difference rises to an additional 6.25 car lengths (25 metres) at 70mph.
”Local
Source: Brake

Brake spokesman Jason Wakeford said: ‘‘Brake is calling on the Government to increase the stopping distances in the Highway Code as a matter of urgency.

'These figures suggest stopping distances taught to new drivers in the Highway Code fall woefully short. Even though car braking technology has improved in recent years, the majority of the overall stopping distance at most speeds is actually made up of the time taken to perceive the hazard and react.

‘A true understanding of how long it takes to stop a car in an emergency is one of the most important lessons for new drivers. Understanding true average thinking time reminds all drivers how far their car will travel before they begin to brake - as well as highlighting how any distraction in the car which extends this time, like using a mobile phone, could prove fatal.'

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘These findings from Brake and TRL are striking and should be taken seriously. From time to time, new evidence will come to light that means it is necessary to update the Highway Code and perhaps this is one such instance.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver working from our Depot at South Kirkby. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Head of Highways and Transportation

£86,196
North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering outstanding services to people and places across the borough. North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear
Recruiter: North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Works Technician

£37,399 (plus unsocial hours allowance)
The Works Technician is responsible for ensuring that the London Trams civils and off-track infrastructure Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Transport for London

Parking Officer

£31,524 - £35,448
Our workforce is key to making this happen. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver WMF2091e

£27,711.00 - £28,624.00
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated LGV Driver Ulverston, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Strategic Sites Transport Planner

£47,754 - £51,802 (Plus £4000 Market Forces Supplement) (Pay award pending)
Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are seeking to appoint an ambitious transport planner. Pershore, Worcestershire
Recruiter: Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council

Transportation Planning Officer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
Have you got a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Geography or Town Planning? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

REL Skip Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an REL Skip Driver working from our depot at Castleford. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer

£37,035- £41,511
We have an exciting opening to join our Property Team as a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Project Chargehand (4 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pending Pay Award)
We are looking for Project chargehands to lead teams working on highway maintenance and construction projects. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

0846 Head of Highways and Transportation

£86,196 pa
North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering outstanding services to people and places across the borough. North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear / Various
Recruiter: North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £26,248 - £28,161 per annum (Pending Pay Award)
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Cleansing Driver / Operative (Pavement Sweeper)

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Driver / Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Technical Assistant for Streetworks

£24,309 - £28,163 per annum
The Streetworks Department has an exciting new opening in the service for a Technical Assistant. North Yorkshire / Countywide
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Project Engineer

£30,559 - £41,511
We hybrid work with a mixture of working from home and from our offices in Skipton Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Transportation Planning Officer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
Have you got a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Geography or Town Planning? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Technician – Highway Drainage

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
The Highway Drainage Management Team is an established team within the Highways Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Solicitor

NJC34 (43,693) - NJC39 (48,710)
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Legal Services team is a dynamic and integral part of the Council North East Lincolnshire
Recruiter: North East Lincolnshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW