Question

why is speeding a major factor in accidents and road fatalities?
speeding increases the number of distractions.
speeding reduces travel time to the destination.
speeding reduces the time a driver has to avoid a collision.
speeding decreases the stopping distance required to avoid a collision.

Explanation:

To determine why speeding is a major factor in accidents and road fatalities, we analyze each option:

• "Speeding increases the number of distractions": Speeding itself doesn't directly increase distractions. Distractions are separate factors like using a phone or eating. Eliminate this.
• "Speeding reduces travel time to the destination": While this is a result of speeding, it doesn't explain why it causes accidents. Eliminate this.
• "Speeding reduces the time a driver has to avoid a collision": When a driver speeds, the time available to react to hazards (like a sudden stop ahead) and take evasive action is less. This makes it harder to avoid collisions, so this is a valid reason.
• "Speeding decreases the stopping distance required to avoid a collision": In reality, speeding increases stopping distance (since kinetic energy and braking distance are related to speed squared). So this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to avoid a collision.