Safety margins
A car and a fully loaded lorry are both travelling at 50 mph. Which needs the greater distance to stop?
- The car, because it is lighter
- They need exactly the same distance
- The lorry, because its greater weight takes longer to stopCorrect
- Neither — weight has no effect on braking
Why?
Rule 126 of The Highway Code notes that large vehicles need a greater distance to stop. At the same speed, a loaded lorry's much greater weight means it takes longer to slow down than a car, so never cut in front of one.
Highway Code rule 126