BEHAVIOUR RELATIVE TO THE BRAKING PHASE

This article describes braking distance tests carried out in Italy using an Alfa Romeo Alfetta, with new and used tyres and on wet and dry road surfaces, in order to measure braking distances and evaluate their role in increasing accident risk. The article maintains that the variability of braking distance has a negative effect on driving conditions to which increased risk is commonly ascribed. The theory offered is that drivers drive in terms of faster or slower speeds (according to perceived conditions) and not in terms of a knowledge of braking distances. It is suggested that a greater risk results from tyre wear and its consequent loss of adhesion, as this increases the level of difficulty of the driving task. (TRRL)