1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Owner's Manual - Page 185

Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's easyto ask more of those controlsystems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose controlof your vehicle. B W N G Braking actioninvolves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on thebrake pedal. That's perception time. time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That's reaction Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.But that's only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or morewith another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a of distance in an lot emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and othersis important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surfaceof the road (whether it's pavement orgravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition your brakes. of 171