Typical Brake Reaction Times Across the Life Span

ABSTRACT

This paper provides average brake reaction times for healthy community living adults from 16 to 90+ years of age, divided by gender. Using consistent directions and context, the RT-2S Simple Brake Reaction shows that average brake reactions for males is 0.50 seconds (median = 0.48, minimum = 0.25 maximum = 0.92) and for females is 0.53 seconds (median = 0.51 minimum = 0.30 maximum = 1.36). The use of a brake reaction timer to assess fitness to drive may be useful for clients recovering from orthopedic surgery, while use as a driving determinate of older adults should be done in conjunction with other tools.

KEYWORDS. :

• Brake reaction
• Driver screening
• Driving
• Lifespan
• Orthopedic

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anne E. Dickerson

Anne E. Dickerson, PhD, OTR/L, SCDCM, FAOTA, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Timothy A. Reistetter

Timothy A. Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Associate Professor, School of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.

Stacey Burhans

Stacey Burhans, MS, OTR, Brookdale Therapy West Arlington Boulevard & Brookdale Therapy Dickinson Avenue, Greenville, NC.

Katie Apple

Katie Apple, MS, OTR, REX Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center, Raleigh, NC.