Driverz safety utility

UK stopping distance calculator

Estimate the distance a car may travel while you react and brake. Use it as a quick learning and awareness tool for dry, wet and icy road conditions.

Estimate stopping distance

This calculator uses Highway Code style dry braking distance and adjusts the following gap for wet or icy conditions. Real stopping distances depend on tyres, brakes, road surface, gradient, load, visibility and driver attention.

Your estimate

Total stopping distance

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Enter speed and calculate.

Quick answer: stopping distance is thinking distance plus braking distance. The Highway Code says to leave enough space to stop safely, use at least a two-second gap on faster roads, double it in the wet and increase it much further on ice.

Typical Highway Code dry stopping distances

Stopping distance FAQ

What is stopping distance?

Stopping distance is the distance travelled from seeing a hazard to the car stopping. It includes thinking distance while the driver reacts, plus braking distance once the brakes are applied.

Why does speed make such a big difference?

At higher speeds, the car travels further while you react and needs much more distance to slow down. This is why the increase is not just a small straight-line change.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is an educational calculator. For driving rules and road safety, check the official Highway Code and drive to the actual conditions around you.