1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual

ktrol of a Vehicle BraE vYou have three systems that make your vehicle go whereyou want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering andthe accelerator. All three systems have to do their workat the places where the tires meet the road.Braking action involves perception time and reaction time.First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up yourfoot and do it. That’s reaction time.Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. Butthat’s only an average. It might be less with one driverand as long as two or three seconds or more withanother. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordinationand eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs andfrustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehiclemoving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, sokeeping enough space between your vehicle and othersis important.And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatlywith the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement orgravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tiretread; and the condition of your brakes.Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’seasy to ask more of those control systems than the tiresand road can provide. That means you can lose controlof your vehicle.4-5