ADAC guidance on vehicle stopping distances

In late June, the German motoring organization ADAC published detailed guidance on how to compute a vehicle’s stopping distance. It broke the total distance into reaction distance and braking distance, providing formulas that relate speed to each component and noting that emergency braking roughly halves the braking distance. The guidance also explained that German driving‑test regulations require a minimum of 30 minutes of actual driving time, and that time spent in traffic jams does not count toward this requirement; examiners may extend the test on alternative routes if necessary.

A month later, ADAC issued a follow‑up clarification that reiterated the same basic formulas but added further context. It highlighted how road slope, brake performance, vehicle load and surface conditions affect the figures, and it gave specific examples of normal and emergency braking distances at 50 km/h, 100 km/h, and 150 km/h. The later note broadened the scope from exam‑related implications to general driving safety considerations.