Stopping A Truck In Indiana

Regarding the topic of "Stopping Distance" the Indiana cdl manual differs significantly from what the High Road program teaches. Specifically, they differ in perception time/distance and braking distance. Strange, because one would think that these numbers are measured and are universal. I searched a little online and all other sources that I found agree with the High Road numbers. Could it be that it takes twice as long to perceive road hazards in Indiana ...

Here is the relevant passage from the IN cdl manual:

2.6.1 – Stopping Distance Perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance = Total stopping distance

Perception distance - The distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions; from the time your eyes see a hazard until your brain recognizes it. Keep in mind certain mental and physical conditions can affect your perception distance. It can be affected greatly depending on visibility and the hazard itself. The average perception time for an alert driver is 1¾ seconds. At 55 mph this accounts for 142 feet traveled.

Reaction distance - The distance you will continue to travel, in ideal conditions; before you physically hit the brakes, in response to a hazard seen ahead. The average driver has a reaction time of ¾ second to 1 second. At 55 mph this accounts for 61 feet traveled.

Braking distance - The distance your vehicle will travel, in ideal conditions; while you are braking. At 55 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 216 feet.

Total stopping distance - The total minimum distance your vehicle has traveled, in ideal conditions; with everything considered, including perception distance, reaction distance and braking distance, until you can bring your vehicle to a complete stop. At 55 mph, your vehicle will travel a minimum of 419 feet.

This is what the Texas manual says as well. Just read the current edition yesterday.

Could it be that it takes twice as long to perceive road hazards in Indiana ...

From my experience it seems like people in Indiana are pretty slow to catch on to things....

Totally joking of course.....

Yeah, the various state CDL manuals have small differences from time to time but they are few and far between. People sometimes notice this when comparing their state's CDL manual to the High Road Training Program which uses the Illinois CDL manual. For the record, the minor differences will have no affect on your scores for the CDL permit and endorsement exams and it certainly won't affect the knowledge you have for doing your job safely. It's just little differences like this example where Indiana calculate stopping distance a little differently. In the real world trucks stop the same in Indiana as they do anywhere else.

Certain parts of Indiana do not recognize Daylight Saving Time the way the vast majority of the country does either so someone there has "little man's syndrome" I think.