Under favorable circumstances, how far can a motor vehicle going 50 mph be stopped within?

When considering how far a motor vehicle traveling at 50 mph can come to a complete stop under favorable conditions, it is crucial to account for the factors that contribute to stopping distance, including perception time, reaction time, and braking distance.

At 50 mph, a vehicle's stopping distance involves both the distance covered during the driver's reaction time and the braking distance. Under ideal conditions, which include good weather, a dry road surface, and effective brakes, the stopping distance for a vehicle can be estimated using formulas or guidelines that suggest approximately 1.5 feet per mph for the braking distance, plus the reaction distance, which typically adds another distance based on average human reaction time.

In this case, it is approximated that at 50 mph, a motor vehicle can be stopped within about 229 feet. This figure incorporates the reaction time and the distance covered while braking, making it a comprehensive measure of stopping distance under optimum circumstances. Thus, this stopping distance makes the most sense when referring to typical data used in driver education for understanding the dynamics of stopping and braking.