To avoid an accident in the event of heavy braking, must you adapt your speed and safety distance from the vehicle in front when driving a loaded van?

Correct answer

No, the weight of the load does not affect braking distance.

Braking distance is the distance travelled by the vehicle from when the driver presses the brake until it comes to a complete stop. This distance is determined by: speed. As speed increases, braking distance also increases, although it does so in a greater proportion than the increase in speed. The vehicle's mass, the load and its positioning. The heavier the vehicle, the greater its braking distance.