North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

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At 20 MPH, what is the braking distance?

10 ft
20 ft
30 ft
15 ft

The correct answer is: 20 ft

To determine the braking distance at 20 MPH, it's important to understand the relationship between speed and braking distance. Braking distance is influenced by several factors, including the initial speed, the conditions of the road surface, and the efficiency of the vehicle's braking system. In general, the formula for calculating braking distance can involve the square of the vehicle's speed. A commonly used formula shows that the braking distance (in feet) can be approximated using the formula: (speed in MPH)^2 / 20. Thus, at 20 MPH, the calculation would be: (20)^2 / 20 = 400 / 20 = 20 feet. This means that at 20 MPH, the typical average braking distance is around 20 feet under optimal conditions. This is why the correct answer aligns with this calculated distance, reinforcing the understanding of how speed impacts the stopping distance.