Colorado CDL Practice Test 2026 - Free Commercial Driver’s License Practice Questions and Study Guide

During the reaction time before pressing the brakes, your vehicle travels the reaction distance. Reaction time is the period it takes for a driver to process information and execute a response, such as pressing the brake pedal. During this time, although the driver has not yet engaged the brakes, the vehicle continues to move forward at its current speed.

This distance traveled before any braking occurs is referred to as the reaction distance. It can vary depending on factors such as the driver's alertness, the speed of the vehicle, and the road conditions. Understanding this concept helps drivers recognize that the total stopping distance includes both reaction distance and braking distance, which is critical for safe driving practices and effective stopping techniques.