Buick 1993 Roadmaster Owner's Manual page 166

Braking
Braking action- involves perceDtion time and reaction
'time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then -you have to bring
up your
foot and do it. That's reaction-time.
-
Average reaction time is about 314 'of a second. But
that's only -an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or.three seconds or .more with
another. <Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. .But even in
3/4 0f.a second, a
vehicle moving at 60 mph (1 00 h / h ) travels 66 feet: (20
m). That could. be a lot of distance in an-emergency, so
keeping enough- space between your vehicle and-others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the saiface- of the raad.(whether it's pavement or
gavel); the condition of the road (wFt, dry, icy); tire
tread; and the condition of your brakes.
Most -drivers treat their brakes with care. Some,
however; overwork the braking system with poor
driving habits.
*
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-
heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking - rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lat of heavy braking.
Don't
"ride" the brakes by letting your left foot rest
lightly on the brake pedal while driving.