What does "braking distance" refer to?

Braking distance is defined as the distance a vehicle travels after the brakes have been applied until it comes to a complete stop. This distance is influenced by several factors including the vehicle's speed at the time the brakes are engaged, the type of brakes used, the road conditions, and the weight of the vehicle. Understanding braking distance is crucial for drivers, as it helps them gauge how much space they will need to stop safely, especially in emergency situations.

The other options describe different aspects related to driving and stopping but do not accurately define braking distance. The time taken to recognize a hazard is related to reaction time, while the distance traveled before the brakes are applied pertains to perception time. The effect of speed on stopping discusses how speed influences the overall stopping process but does not address the specific measurement of braking distance itself.