Will the braking distance of a vehicle increase or decrease on wet and slippery roads in rainy days?
3 Answers
On wet and slippery roads during rainy days, the braking distance of a vehicle will increase. The following factors affect braking distance: Suspension: During emergency braking, the vehicle's center of gravity shifts forward, compressing the front suspension. If the front suspension lacks sufficient support, it can cause excessive forward shift of the vehicle's center of gravity, reducing the traction of the rear wheels and weakening the braking effect of the rear wheels, thereby increasing the braking distance. Tires: Tires are the medium through which the braking system operates. The better the tire traction, the more braking force can be obtained during braking, and the shorter the braking distance can be. For general passenger vehicles, the main factor affecting braking distance is the width of the tires. Wider tires have a larger contact area with the ground, resulting in greater braking force.
After driving for so many years, I've noticed that braking distance always increases on wet roads during rainy days. Simply put, rainwater reduces the friction between tires and the road surface, making it slippery like walking on mud, which means the car needs a longer distance to stop. Under normal sunny conditions, the braking distance at 60 km/h might be 10 meters, but in rainy weather, it could extend to 15 meters or more. This happens because the tires lose traction and can't absorb as much braking force. Once on the highway, I encountered an emergency and had to brake hard, but the car still slid forward a considerable distance. My advice is to reduce speed by at least 20% in rainy conditions, brake earlier than usual, and maintain a safety distance three times longer than usual from the car ahead. Also, it's crucial to check the tread depth of your tires—deeper treads improve water drainage and reduce slipping. In short, safe driving is no small matter; always leave extra room when it's raining.
As an ordinary driver, I feel the brakes are less effective every time I commute in the rain. The stopping distance definitely increases, and when the roads are slippery from rain, pressing the brakes makes it feel like the wheels can't grip the road, causing the car to slide further. I used to think it was no big deal, but I learned my lesson after one close call when I had to brake hard too close to the car in front and nearly collided. Now I understand that rainwater forms a film that reduces tire friction. My advice is to reduce speed to below 80% of normal in rainy conditions, especially when taking sharp turns at high speeds. Don't forget to maintain your tires—worn-out tires are even more dangerous. Make it a habit to check tire pressure to ensure even contact with the road. Drive steadily, and you'll get home more safely.
