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Course Outline

Sight Distance

  • Sight distance means the distance from which you can see and identify a hazard. You often see an object before you’re able to identify it as a hazard.
  • If the stopping distance to an object is greater than the sight distance, you’re in danger of hitting the object.

Reaction Time and Distance

  • Reaction time is the time it takes you to react to a hazard. It involves these steps:
    • Seeing something
    • Recognizing it’s a hazard
    • Deciding whether to brake or steer around the object
    • Reacting
  • Reaction distance is the distance the ATV travels during your reaction time.
    • The distance depends on the reaction time (in seconds) and speed (in feet per second).
    • It is calculated as: Reaction Distance = Reaction Time x Speed
  • Accidents occur in just a few seconds, so think of your speed in feet per second (multiply mph by 1.46667).
    • 15 mph = 22 ft. per second
    • 30 mph = 44 ft. per second
    • 45 mph = 66 ft. per second
    • 60 mph = 88 ft. per second
  • At 30 mph with a reaction time of three seconds, the reaction distance is 132 feet (3 sec. x 44 ft./sec.).
  • Unit 3 of 7
  • Topic 3 of 3
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