2011 Code of Virginia
Title 46.2 MOTOR VEHICLES.
Chapter 8 Regulation of Traffic (46.2-800 thru 46.2-947)
46.2-880 Tables of speed and stopping distances
46.2-880. Tables of speed and stopping distances.
All courts shall take notice of the following tables of speed and stopping distances of motor vehicles, which shall not raise a presumption, in actions in which inquiry thereon is pertinent to the issues:
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SPEED IN AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCES TOTAL STOPPING
DISTANCES:
Truck Brakes Avg Driver DRIVER AND
Perception-
Miles Feet Automobile Brakes on Reaction Time
Per Per Brakes All Wheels (1.5 Seconds) Automobiles Trucks
Hour Second (In Feet) (In Feet) (In Feet) (In Feet) (In Feet)
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10 14.7 5 6 22 27 28
15 22.0 11 14 33 44 47
20 29.3 19 25 44 63 69
25 36.7 30 40 55 85 95
30 44.0 43 57 66 109 123
35 51.3 58 78 77 135 155
40 58.7 76 102 88 164 190
45 66.0 96 129 99 195 228
50 73.3 119 159 110 229 269
55 80.7 144 192 121 265 313
60 88.0 171 229 132 303 361
65 95.3 201 268 143 344 411
70 102.7 233 311 154 387 465
75 110.0 268 357 165 433 522
80 117.3 305 406 176 481 582
85 124.7 344 459 187 531 646
90 132.0 386 514 198 584 712
95 139.3 430 573 209 639 782
100 146.7 476 635 220 696 855
The courts shall further take notice that the above table has been constructed, using scientific reasoning, to provide factfinders with an average baseline for motor vehicle stopping distances: (1) for a vehicle in good condition and (2) on a level, dry stretch of highway, free from loose material.
Deviations from these circumstances do not negate the usefulness of the table, but rather call for additional site-specific examination and/or explanation.
Site-specific research may be utilized under any circumstances.
(Code 1950, 46-212.2; 1956, c. 600; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-195; 1989, c. 727; 2001, c. 145; 2003, c. 277.)
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