Doubling the speed of a vehicle has what effect on stopping distance?

Doubling the speed of a vehicle has a significant impact on stopping distance due to the physics involved in motion and the associated reaction times. When speed is increased, the kinetic energy of the vehicle also increases. Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the speed, meaning that if you double the speed of a vehicle, you actually quadruple its kinetic energy.

Since the stopping distance is directly related to the amount of energy that must be dissipated in order to bring the vehicle to a stop, a vehicle traveling at double the speed will require four times the distance to stop completely. This is why the answer indicating that the stopping distance quadruples when the speed is doubled is correct. Understanding this principle is crucial for emergency vehicle operators, as it underscores the importance of maintaining safe speeds, especially in environments with high traffic or potential hazards.