What is the total stopping distance defined as?

Total stopping distance refers specifically to the distance that a vehicle travels from the moment a driver recognizes the need to stop until the vehicle comes to a complete halt. This distance is critical for safe driving because it encompasses various phases of the stopping process.

The correct explanation of total stopping distance includes both the driver's reaction time and the braking distance. The reaction time is the period it takes for a driver to recognize a hazard and begin to apply the brakes. Once the brakes are applied, the braking distance is the length of roadway the vehicle travels while it decelerates to a stop. Therefore, total stopping distance is effectively the sum of these two components, emphasizing the importance of considering both the time taken to react and the actual braking mechanics involved in halting the vehicle.

While the other options describe aspects of stopping or stopping distances, they do not accurately capture the full definition or methodology of calculating the total stopping distance as a combination of both reaction time and braking distance.