JJ Keller Entry Level Driver Training for CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) Practice Test

When traveling at higher speeds, braking distance increases due to the physics of motion, specifically the relationship between speed and stopping distance. Braking distance is the distance a vehicle travels from the time the brakes are applied until it comes to a complete stop. This distance is affected by the speed at which the vehicle is traveling — as speed increases, the time required to come to a stop also increases.

The basic principle at play is that kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion, increases with the square of the speed. This means if a vehicle doubles its speed, the kinetic energy quadruples, resulting in a much longer distance required to stop. Additionally, higher speeds can result in longer stopping times, which further contributes to increased braking distance.

Consequently, when considering the effects of speed on braking, it's clear that the faster you travel, the longer it takes to stop, resulting in a significant increase in braking distance.