How does a vehicle's weight affect stopping distance?

• A. Heavier vehicles require longer stopping distances; space accordingly.
• B. Weight has no effect on stopping distance.
• C. Light vehicles need more distance.
• D. Stopping distance is only affected by speed.

Answer: (A)

When you brake, you must dissipate the vehicle’s momentum, which equals mass times velocity. Heavier vehicles have more momentum at the same speed, so they require more distance to shed that energy and come to a stop. In practice, braking systems and tires have limits in how much traction they can use to slow the car, and extra weight makes it harder to reach those limits quickly, especially on wet or downhill surfaces or when the brakes are hot from use. Therefore, heavier vehicles typically need more stopping distance and more space to stop safely. While speed and road conditions matter, weight adds inertia that translates into longer stopping distances in real driving.