10 minutes · Guided lesson
Heavy-Vehicle Braking and Space
Understand how mass, speed, slope and conditions affect stopping.
Stopping distance grows quickly
Perception, reaction and braking distance all matter. Added weight, speed, wet surfaces and downhill gradients increase the space required.
Control descents early
Select an appropriate lower gear before the descent. Use the approved braking technique for the vehicle and watch for signs of brake fade or overheating.
Protect your space
Leave a generous following gap and scan far ahead. Early deceleration is safer for the load, passengers and traffic behind.