By how many times does your braking distance increase if you double your speed on a highway?

The correct answer is that your braking distance increases by four times if you double your speed. This relationship is due to the physics of stopping distance, which is affected by both your speed and the time it takes to stop.

When you are driving at a higher speed, not only do you cover more ground in the same amount of time compared to a lower speed, but the kinetic energy of your vehicle also increases. Specifically, the kinetic energy is proportional to the square of your speed. Therefore, if you double your speed, the energy increases by a factor of four (since 2^2 = 4).

As a result, when you need to brake from this higher speed, you will require more distance to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. This significant increase in stopping distance highlights the importance of maintaining safe speeds, particularly in situations where sudden stops may be necessary. Understanding this effect helps drivers appreciate the risks associated with speeding and reinforces the importance of adhering to speed limits for safety on the road.