Arkansas Commercial Driver License (CDL) Practice Test

What is the distance covered in the reaction phase at a speed of 55 mph?

1. 50 feet

2. 55 feet

3. 60 feet

4. 65 feet

The correct answer is: 60 feet

In the context of driving, the reaction phase refers to the time it takes for a driver to perceive a hazard and begin to respond. At a speed of 55 mph, it's essential to understand how to calculate the distance covered during this reaction phase. Generally, the average reaction time for a driver is about 1.5 seconds. To find the distance covered during this time at 55 mph, you first convert the speed into feet per second. Since there are 5280 feet in a mile and 3600 seconds in an hour, a speed of 55 mph is approximately 80.67 feet per second (55 miles × 5280 feet/mile ÷ 3600 seconds/hour). To determine the distance covered during the reaction phase, multiply the speed in feet per second by the average reaction time: 80.67 feet/second × 1.5 seconds = roughly 121 feet. However, since the question provides options significantly less than 121 feet, it seems that the given answer choices likely reference more simplistic or rounded figures based on common teaching points about stopping distances. Given that the reaction distance might typically be approximated in various educational contexts to about 60 feet for quick reference at 55 mph, that