What is the total distance a car travels from the point a driver recognizes a problem until the car comes to a complete stop?

The total distance a car travels from the moment a driver recognizes a problem until the car comes to a complete stop is defined as stopping distance. Stopping distance encompasses both the reaction distance and the braking distance.

When a driver perceives a hazard, there is a brief period where their reaction time comes into play—this is the reaction distance, which is the distance traveled while the driver is moving their foot from the accelerator to the brake. Once the brakes are applied, the car continues to travel until it comes to a complete stop, which accounts for the braking distance.

Combining both of these distances gives the total stopping distance, emphasizing the importance of both perception and response time in driving safety.