What is the average reaction time behind the wheel

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Madeleine Jones. January 11, Article continues below infographic Reaction Times Behind the Wheel Highway traffic and safety engineers have developed general guidelines for vehicle stopping times and distances that are held as safety standards.

Athletics, emergency management systems and even animal attacks are measured to determine the time between the application of a stimulus and the needed reaction. In driving, changes by fractions of a second in reaction time may mean the difference between a collision or the avoidance of one.

On the road, distractions, speed, driving experience, and physical and cognitive fitness can seriously affect reaction times. Even drivers with relatively quick reaction times in normal circumstances may see drastic changes based on distractions, driving under the influence, sleepiness, acute illnesses or stress.

One common variable affecting average reaction time is age. As drivers age, physical and cognitive functions slow, causing an increase in the time between when a stimulus or road hazard is recognized, and the time the driver reacts by braking or turning the wheel. Reaction times vary from one driver to the next. A professional driver who is physically fit and trained in high-speed driving might have a reaction time of 0.

An article featured on the website www. How to Improve: Make sure your new driver takes it a little slower than normal at night time. This will save them from scary run-ins. Of all the recommendations you make to your teen, driving slowly is probably one of the best ways to boost their reaction time.

Congested areas, pedestrian-filled intersections, and rogue wildlife will all need their reaction time to be hitting on all cylinders!

And did we mention how you can motivate your new driver? The better their score, the more cash they can get! Want to Get Started? Click ahead! Got Questions? Toggle navigation. How to Improve Reaction Time on the Road.