At 60 mph, stopping distance is approximately equal to the length of which object?

• A. A street block
• B. A football field
• C. Two football fields
• D. A football field and a half

Answer: (B)

Stopping distance at a given speed is made up of two parts: the distance you cover while you perceive and react to a hazard, and the distance you cover while you brake to a stop. At 60 mph, the reaction portion is roughly 1.5 seconds, so you’ve already traveled about 132 feet before you start braking. The braking portion from 60 mph adds roughly another 168 feet, giving a total around 300 feet. A football field is about 300 feet long, so the total stopping distance at 60 mph is about the length of a football field. That’s why this option is the best match. A street block is typically shorter than 300 feet, while two football fields or a football field and a half are longer than the actual stopping distance.