What is the effect on stopping distance if a driver’s speed is increased?

When a driver increases their speed, the stopping distance increases significantly due to the physics of motion. Stopping distance is the total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a driver recognizes the need to stop until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This distance is influenced by two primary factors: perception-reaction time and braking distance.

As speed increases, the perception-reaction distance (the distance covered while the driver reacts to a situation) grows because the vehicle is moving faster. In addition, the braking distance—the distance required to stop the vehicle once the brakes are applied—also increases exponentially with speed. The formula for braking distance is related to the square of the speed. Therefore, if a driver's speed doubles, the braking distance increases by a factor of four.

This means that a higher speed leads to a greater stopping distance, making it crucial for drivers to be aware of how their speed affects their ability to stop safely, especially in emergencies. Hence, understanding how increased speed dramatically increases stopping distance is vital for safe driving practices.