1993 Buick LeSabre Owner's Manual - Page 160

Control of a Vehicle You have three systems make your vehicle go where that you want it to go. They are thebrakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systemshave to dotheir work at theplaces where the tires meet the road. Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on brake pedal. the That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That's reaction time. 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 three seconds or more with or 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 couldbe a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distancesvary greatly with the surfaceof the road (whether it's pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes. Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's easy to ask moreof those control systemsthan the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle. Most drivers treat their brakes with care. Some, however, overwork the braking system with poor driving habits.