A RECENT survey into braking and condition of vehicle brakes found that over half of drivers questioned were oblivious to vehicle braking distances and were not even sure when their vehicle's brakes were last checked.

Brake specialist Ferodo has recently launched a Stop and Think campaign to raise awareness of safe braking and urge drivers to check their brakes before heading off on a long journey.

Ferodo's marketing manager Rob Clulow said: "We were astounded when we discovered that only 48 per cent of respondents to our survey actually knew the correct stopping distance of a vehicle travelling at 30mph, despite having learnt it as part of the Highway Code to pass their driving test. Similarly, only one in 10 vehicle owners knew when their brakes were last checked."

According to the Highway Code, an average stopping distance for a vehicle travelling at 70mph (including thinking time) is 96 metres, or 24 car lengths. Vehicles may not meet this distance with sub-standard brakes.

Moreover, two thirds of all accidents in which people are injured occur in urban areas, with a maximum speed of 30mph. Seventy per cent of people break the speed limit on these roads. This means that the minimum stopping distance would be 14 metres only if the vehicle was travelling at 30mph and had perfect brakes otherwise braking distances will exceed three more car lengths.

The Stop and Think campaign is urging motorists to ask themselves:

when were your brake pads last replaced?

when were your brakes checked for wear?

when was the efficiency and serviceability of your brakes last checked?

do your brakes squeal, judder or screech?

If you are unsure, get them checked by a specialist.