Final answer:
Drivers should look at least 10 to 15 seconds down the road ahead of their vehicle to avoid last-minute braking or abrupt turns. Knowing the reaction time and braking distance, informed by observations like Bridget's, helps in making safe crossing decisions as a pedestrian.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn abruptly, drivers should look down the road at least 10 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicle. This practice gives them enough time to react to unexpected situations and make safe driving decisions.
For instance, if a car travels at a speed of 60 km/hr, as mentioned, looking ahead at least 10 to 15 seconds means being aware of the road approximately 160 to 250 meters ahead, considering one second at 60 km/hr is about 16.67 meters traveled.
Furthermore, understanding the concept of reaction time and braking distance is crucial for safe driving. Given the information from Bridget's observation that it takes 3 seconds for most cars to cover a distance of 50 meters, we can conclude the cars were moving at a speed of approximately 16.67 meters per second or 60 km/hr (since speed = distance/time).
This insight can be used to gauge how quickly a car may approach and help a pedestrian decide when it is safe to cross the road.