Approximately how many feet does a car traveling at 20 mph need to stop after applying the brakes?

When a car is traveling at 20 mph, it typically requires around 63 feet to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied. This distance includes both the reaction time of the driver and the braking distance.

At 20 mph, the average thinking distance is about 20 feet, which is the distance covered from the moment a driver recognizes the need to stop until the brakes are engaged. Following that, the braking distance—how far the car travels while coming to a stop—adds additional feet based on speed and the efficiency of the vehicle’s braking system.

In this case, when you combine the reaction distance and the braking distance at this speed, the approximate total distance is around 63 feet. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for safe driving, as it helps drivers gauge stopping distances and maintain appropriate following distances on the road. The distances given in the other choices do not accurately reflect the stopping distance for a vehicle traveling at 20 mph, which is essential knowledge for safe driving practices.