Illinois Driving Permit Practice Test

How does speeding affect your reaction time?

1. It has no effect

2. It increases your ability to react

3. It decreases your ability to react to hazards

4. It improves your focus

The correct answer is: It decreases your ability to react to hazards

Speeding decreases your ability to react to hazards because it reduces the time you have to perceive and respond to a situation. When a driver exceeds the speed limit, they cover more distance in a shorter period, which means there’s less time available to spot obstacles or changes in traffic conditions, such as pedestrians crossing the road or other vehicles slowing down. This limited reaction time can lead to a higher likelihood of accidents or near misses, as the driver may not be able to make necessary adjustments in their driving behavior quickly enough. Additionally, increased speed can lead to overestimating one's ability to handle unexpected situations, further hindering effective responses. Thus, speeding fundamentally impacts a driver’s capacity to react appropriately and safely to potential hazards on the road.