What is the stopping distance?

The stopping distance is the total distance travelled from when the driver first spots the obstruction e.g. a child, to when the car stops. And the stopping distance can be divided into two parts. The thinking and the braking distance. The thinking distance is the distance travelled by car during the driver’s reaction time. The reaction time is the time taken for the driver to spot the obstruction, make a decision, and move their foot to the break. And the braking distance is the distance the car travels from when the driver applies the breaks to when the car stops. Although the stopping distance will be greater when the speed of the vehicle is greater (assuming the same braking force is applied).