Is it true that the stopping distance increases with speed?

Prepare for the DVDL Driving Test with comprehensive quizzes. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to get exam ready!

The stopping distance indeed increases with speed. This is due to several factors, primarily the physics of motion. As a vehicle travels faster, it covers more distance during the reaction time and the time taken to come to a complete stop. The relationship between speed and stopping distance is not linear; when the speed of the vehicle doubles, the stopping distance increases by a factor greater than two.

This increase occurs because the kinetic energy of a vehicle, which must be dissipated to stop, is proportional to the square of its speed. Therefore, as the speed increases, the energy that needs to be lost for the vehicle to stop increases significantly, resulting in a longer stopping distance.

In contrast, the other options suggest various limitations or conditions under which stopping distance might not increase with speed, which is not in line with the principle that faster speeds always lead to longer stopping distances due to the necessary physics behind motion and energy.

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