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What distance does the car travel during the braking period?

I’m fairly curious about cars, so I was looking at acceleration and braking specs on a few rides the other day. I read that some cars can stop on a dime. How far do cars travel when they’re trying to brake?

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Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Brakes are one of the most vital safety components of a car, providing the opportunity to avoid a collision. But determining the distance a car travels during the braking period isn’t all that simple.
You need to factor in speed,
tire condition
, terrain, and brake condition. But to give you an idea, here are some average braking distances for vehicles traveling 60 mph:
  • Overall average: 132 feet
  • Large SUVs: 143 feet
  • Full-size pickups: 140 feet
  • Midsize SUVs: 134 feet
  • Midsize sedans: 133 feet
  • Small cars: 130 feet
  • Sports cars: 120 feet
With any luck, you’ll never have to test the brakes of your own car, but if you do, it will hopefully end without an accident. Regardless, protect yourself on the road by carrying great car insurance. The
Jerry
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