Stopping distance is the total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a driver perceives a need to stop until the vehicle comes to a complete halt. This distance is influenced by several factors, including the vehicle's speed, the driver's reaction time, and the road conditions. The stopping distance can be divided into two main components: reaction distance and braking distance. Reaction distance is the distance covered while the driver reacts to a situation, while braking distance is the distance needed to stop the vehicle once the brakes are applied. Together, these components determine how quickly a vehicle can safely come to a stop.