What is the implication of high vehicle speed on stopping distance?

High vehicle speed significantly influences stopping distance, primarily due to the physics of motion. As the speed of a vehicle increases, the distance required to bring that vehicle to a complete stop also increases. This is because stopping distance is affected by two main factors: reaction time and braking distance.

At higher speeds, a driver's reaction time remains constant, but the distance traveled during that reaction time increases. More critically, the braking distance—which is the distance required to stop once the brakes are applied—grows exponentially with speed. This exponential increase in stopping distance means that, as speed doubles, the braking distance can increase by four times, compounding the overall stopping distance.

Thus, the correct understanding is that as vehicle speed increases, stopping distance increases, making option C the correct choice. It is essential for drivers to recognize this relationship to maintain safe driving practices, especially when dealing with heavy trailers, where stopping distances can be even longer due to the added weight and momentum.