2021 Code of Virginia
Title 46.2 - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 8 - Regulation of Traffic
§ 46.2-880. Tables of speed and stopping distances

Universal Citation: VA Code § 46.2-880 (2021)

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:

aSPEED INAVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCESTOTAL STOPPING
b

Avg DriverDISTANCES:
c

Truck BrakesPerception-DRIVER AND
dMilesFeetAutomobileBrakes onReaction Time

ePerPerBrakesAll Wheels(1.5 Seconds)AutomobilesTrucks
fHourSecond(In Feet)(In Feet)(In Feet)(In Feet)(In Feet)
g1014.756222728
h1522.01114334447
i2029.31925446369
j2536.73040558595
k3044.0435766109123
l3551.3587877135155
m4058.77610288164190
n4566.09612999195228
o5073.3119159110229269
p5580.7144192121265313
q6088.0171229132303361
r6595.3201268143344411
s70102.7233311154387465
t75110.0268357165433522
u80117.3305406176481582
v85124.7344459187531646
w90132.0386514198584712
x95139.3430573209639782
y100146.7476635220696855

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.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.