Alberta Class 7 Practice

Reaction time: Reaction time is how long it takes to respond to a situation by moving your foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. The average reaction time is three-quarters of a second. Reaction distance is how far a vehicle travels during this time. Braking time: Braking time is how long it takes a vehicle to stop after the brakes are applied. Braking distance is how far the vehicle travels during this time. Perception distance + Reaction distance + Braking distance = Total stopping distance The chart below illustrates the minimum stopping distance for various speeds. The stopping distances are averages for stopping on smooth, dry pavement. 110 km/h 100 km/h 80 km/h 50 km/h 30 km/h Distance travelled while perceiving the need to stop (based on an average perception time of ¾ second) Distance travelled while reacting (based on an average reaction time of ¾ second) Distance travelled after brakes applied (under normal road conditions and brake efficiency) Many factors affect your stopping time and distance. These include road and weather conditions. Some factors you can control are: • your visual search skills as you scan the roadway ahead • your decision-making ability • your alertness and level of fatigue • your use of alcohol or drugs • your vehicle’s speed • the condition of your vehicle’s brakes and tires.

Text extracted from the PDF for reference and may contain layout artefacts. The official PDF is authoritative.

Source: Driver's Guide: cars and light trucks, Spring 2026. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Alberta.