What is the reaction distance at 55 mph?

At a speed of 55 mph, the typical reaction distance is approximately 61 feet. Reaction distance is the distance your vehicle travels from the moment you identify a hazard to the moment you begin to apply the brakes. This distance can be calculated based on the speed you are traveling and the average human reaction time, which is generally about 1.5 seconds.

At 55 mph, you're traveling approximately 80.67 feet per second (55 miles × 5280 feet/mile ÷ 3600 seconds/hour). If you multiply this speed by the average reaction time of 1.5 seconds, you arrive at a reaction distance of roughly 61 feet. This measurement is critical for drivers to understand, as it helps them maintain appropriate following distances to prevent rear-end collisions and ensure safe stopping distances in emergencies. Understanding reaction distance allows drivers to react appropriately in various driving conditions.