If you travel at 55 mph, how far will it take you to stop?

To determine how far it takes to stop while traveling at 55 mph, it's important to consider factors such as perception time, reaction time, and braking distance. At 55 mph, the average stopping distance under ideal conditions is around 290 feet, which corresponds to a stopping time of approximately 6 seconds.

When you are traveling at this speed, your perception time (the amount of time it takes to recognize that you need to stop) is typically around 1.5 seconds. After perception time, the average reaction time (the time it takes to physically move your foot from the accelerator to the brake) adds another second or so. Then, after applying the brakes, it takes additional distance to come to a complete stop, which generally includes factors such as road conditions and vehicle weight.

When you combine the perception and reaction times, you find that you cover a significant distance before the brakes even engage fully. Usually, at 55 mph, the total stopping distance combines these elements leading to the figure of approximately 290 feet over a span of about 6 seconds. This aligns closely with the information provided in the answer choice indicated.