If you react 1/2 slower, your chances of a crash can do what?

If you react 1/2 slower, your chances of a crash can do what?

• A. Double
• B. Remain the same
• C. Decrease
• D. Triple

Answer: (A)

When you think about stopping, the key idea is reaction distance—the distance you cover from seeing a hazard to actually starting to brake. That distance is the product of your speed and your reaction time. If your reaction time becomes twice as long, the distance you travel before braking also becomes twice as long. That means you have less space to stop safely and a higher chance of hitting something, roughly doubling the crash risk at the same speed. So, slowing your reaction can double your chances of a crash. It isn’t staying the same or decreasing; it increases with longer reaction times, and it would only triple if your reaction time tripled.