Final answer:
The required stopping distance before a railroad track generally is at least 15 feet, which accounts for reaction time and road conditions. Stopping distance depends on speed, reaction time, coefficient of friction, and the road's condition, affecting whether one should fight a speeding ticket based on made skid marks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distance required to stop before a railroad track can vary based on the laws of the specific state or country, but generally, it is safe to stop at least 15 feet away from the nearest rail. It is important to give yourself enough space to ensure safety, especially considering factors like reaction time, road conditions, and the coefficient of friction between your tires and the road. These factors influence how quickly you can stop and may require additional distance on slippery roads or with slower reaction times.
For example, in a scenario where a car is driving at 50 mph and then applies the brakes suddenly, the stopping distance will depend on the driver's reaction time and the road conditions. Similarly, if you're driving on a straight road with a coefficient of friction of 0.55 and suddenly stop, leaving a 100-feet long skid mark, it can be an indication that you were possibly going over the speed limit, but this would again depend on several factors like the speed at which you were traveling when you applied the brakes and the road conditions.