How many times longer will the braking distance be, if you increase the speed to double?

The braking distance increases exponentially, if you increase your speed to double, the braking distance will be four times as long. The braking distance is the distance the vehicle travels, from the time you have reacted and acted, until the vehicle stops. That is, the stretch where you constantly hold down the brake pedal.

Here there are of course several reasons that affect the braking distance such as the road's slope, road conditions, weather, tires, car model, etc. But the main factor for the braking distance is the speed.

For every time you multiply the speed of the vehicle, you make a square increase in the braking distance.

• 2 x vehicle speed = 4 x braking distance
• 4 x vehicle speed = 16 x braking distance