Ch. 5 · Driving Method

When a driver is fatigued, the distance the vehicle travels between when the driver steps on the brake pedal and when the brakes actually begin to take effect becomes longer, so the stopping distance also becomes longer.

[True / False · Medium]

Answer: ✓ True

Explanation

This statement is correct. When a driver is fatigued, reaction time becomes longer, and the reaction distance—the distance the vehicle travels between stepping on the brake and when the brakes actually begin to take effect—becomes longer. Since stopping distance is the sum of reaction distance and braking distance, if reaction distance increases, stopping distance also becomes longer. This is specified in Chapter 5, Section 4 of the Rules of the Road (Safe Speed and Following Distance).

Driving school curriculumStage 1 – Topic 7: Safe speed and following distance

Hikari
Hikari
Wait, does being tired really make my stopping distance longer?
Misaki
Misaki
Yes, it's true. Fatigue slows your reaction time, so you travel farther before you even hit the brake—that's called reaction distance.
Hikari
Hikari
So it's not the brakes themselves, it's me reacting slower?
Misaki
Misaki
Correct. Stopping distance is reaction distance plus braking distance, so if you react late, the whole thing stretches out.

Source: Ch. 5 Driving Method · Section (第４節 安全な速度と車間距離) · 第４節 安全な速度と車間距離

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Source content excerpted from the NPA “Rules of the Road” instructional manual, in the public domain under Japanese Copyright Act Article 13(2). Explanations are AI-assisted and copyrighted by the MenkyoQuest editorial team.