You increase your speed from 50 km/h to 100 km/h. How does the reaction distance change in accordance with the rule of thumb?

When you increase your speed from 50 km/h to 100 km/h, the reaction distance, which is the distance you travel while reacting to a situation before you start braking, increases significantly.

According to the rule of thumb, reaction distance is affected by speed. Specifically, doubling your speed from 50 km/h to 100 km/h results in a reaction distance that is not only doubled but actually quadrupled. This is due to the physics involved: reaction distance increases with the square of the speed. Therefore, if your initial reaction distance at 50 km/h is approximately 15 m, at 100 km/h it can rise to about 60 m.

Understanding this principle is crucial for driving safety and following German traffic laws, which emphasize the need for sufficient distance to react to hazards. This awareness can prevent accidents and enhance overall road safety.