For an alert driver, the typical reaction time is about how long?

• A. 0.25 seconds
• B. 0.75 seconds
• C. 1.5 seconds
• D. 2 seconds

Answer: (B)

Reaction time is the interval between noticing a hazard and starting to act. For an alert driver, this is typically about 0.75 seconds. That brief pause matters because the vehicle keeps moving during that time, adding to the distance you must stop. You can estimate how far you’ll travel before you brake by multiplying your speed by the reaction time. For example, at 60 mph, 0.75 seconds is about 66 feet. Staying alert helps keep this delay short; fatigue, distractions, or impairment can lengthen it, increasing stopping distance. The other time options either assume an unnaturally quick reaction for a normal driver or reflect a slower, less attentive state, which is why 0.75 seconds is the standard figure.