1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner's Manual - Page 141

Control of a Vehicle Braking You have three systems that make your vehicle go whereBraking action involves perception timeand you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and reaction time. do the accelerator.All three systems have to their work First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. at the places where tires meet the road. 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 less with one driver be and as longas two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination and eyesight allplay a part. So do alcohol, drugsand frustration. But even in of a second, a vehicle 3/4 moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That couldbe a lotof distance inan emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surfaceof the road (whether pavement or it's of gravel); the condition the road (wet,dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition your brakes. of Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's easy to ask moreof those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.