Stopping distances and the severity of collisions:
Decrease as a vehicle’s speed increases.
Are not affected by a vehicle’s speed.
Increase as a vehicle’s speed increases.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Increase as a vehicle’s speed increases.
Explanation:
Stopping distances and the severity of collisions both increase as a vehicle’s speed increases. Here’s why:
- Stopping Distance: This refers to the total distance it takes for a vehicle to come to a complete stop after the driver applies the brakes. Stopping distance is made up of two components:
- Perception Distance: The distance a vehicle travels while the driver identifies a need to stop (e.g., seeing a stop sign, pedestrian, or hazard).
- Reaction Distance: The distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to the situation, such as moving their foot from the gas pedal to the brake.
- Braking Distance: The distance it takes for the vehicle to come to a stop after the brakes are applied.
As speed increases, all these factors increase. For instance, the faster the vehicle is traveling, the longer it takes to perceive, react, and brake. The braking distance is directly proportional to the square of the speed. For example, if a vehicle’s speed doubles, its stopping distance roughly quadruples.
- Severity of Collisions: The severity of a collision depends on the vehicle’s speed because the force involved in a crash is proportional to the square of the speed. A higher speed results in a much greater impact force, which significantly increases the likelihood of severe damage and injuries. This is due to the energy (kinetic energy) that must be absorbed by the vehicle and the occupants during a crash. The faster the vehicle is moving, the more energy must be dissipated in the collision.
In conclusion, both the stopping distance and the severity of collisions increase as speed increases. This is a critical factor in road safety, which is why drivers are advised to adjust their speed based on conditions such as road surface, weather, visibility, and traffic flow to ensure they have enough time to stop safely.