How does speed affect stopping and braking distances? Well, as you increase the speed at which you impact an object, you will also increase the force of your impact. If you keep the speed of an object constant, and you increase the weight of that object, it will increase the force of any impact. The faster an object is moving, the longer the distance it takes to stop. If a vehicle’s speed doubles, it needs about 4X the distance to stop. If a vehicle’s speed triples, it needs up to 9X the distance to stop.
Weight works in the same way that speed does in relation to stopping distances. If you increase the weight of an object, you will also need increase the amount distance needed to stop.
Speed:
Results:
• Higher speeds and/or higher weight will increase your stopping distances
• Higher speeds and/or higher weight will reduce your control in driving mishaps
• Higher speeds and/or higher weight will increase the force of impact in a collision
Therefore, when you increase the force of impact, you increase the risk of injury and/or death in a crash.
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