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Why does doubling your speed roughly quadruple the distance and force involved in stopping or crashing?
- A.Because brakes work half as well at double speed
- B.Because stopping distance and crash energy grow much faster than speed itself, so higher speeds are disproportionately dangerous
- C.Because speedometers read low at high speed
- D.Because tires shrink at higher speed
Correct answer
B. Because stopping distance and crash energy grow much faster than speed itself, so higher speeds are disproportionately dangerous
Why
Physics means braking distance rises with the square of speed, and crash energy does the same. That is why even modest speed increases sharply raise both crash risk and severity.
Manual topic: Official Florida Driver License Handbook - Speed Limits & Following Distance · From the Florida Learner's Permit (Car) practice bank (FLC-038).