pidurdusteekonda

Pidurdusteekond, or braking distance, is the distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver applies the brakes until it comes to a complete stop. It is a component of the overall stopping distance, which also includes the reaction distance—the distance travelled during the driver's initial response to a hazard.

Several factors influence pidurdusteekond: the vehicle’s speed; road surface conditions (dry, wet, snow, ice); tire condition and tread depth; the braking system type and efficiency (disc vs drum brakes, presence of anti-lock braking systems); vehicle load and weight distribution; and the grade of the road.

In general, braking distance increases with speed, and under a given surface with a constant deceleration capability it grows roughly with the square of speed. A simple relation is s = v^2/(2a), where v is speed in metres per second and a is deceleration in metres per second squared. Braking effectiveness can vary during a stop due to brake fade, tire temperature, or maintenance.

On dry pavement with good tires, typical deceleration is around 5–9 m/s^2. Wet surfaces reduce this to about 3–6 m/s^2, while ice and packed snow may yield 1–3 m/s^2. Under these conditions, braking distances at common speeds are tens of metres; for example, about 14 m at 50 km/h and around 40–50 m at 100 km/h on dry, well-maintained tires.

Safety considerations emphasize maintaining an appropriate following distance and adapting to conditions. Drivers are advised to keep at least a two-second gap under normal conditions, increasing it in rain, snow, or poor visibility. Regular tire maintenance and brake checks help maintain optimal pidurdusteekond.