If you increase your speed to 80 mph, how much greater is the impact compared to 20 mph?

The correct answer indicates that if a vehicle's speed increases from 20 mph to 80 mph, the impact during a collision becomes significantly greater. Specifically, when you calculate the relationship between speed and kinetic energy, it becomes clear why the impact is 16 times greater at 80 mph compared to 20 mph.

Kinetic energy, which is a key factor in determining the severity of a collision, is proportional to the square of the velocity. This means that if you double the speed, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four. When moving from 20 mph to 80 mph, you are effectively increasing the speed by a factor of four (80 mph ÷ 20 mph = 4). Squaring that factor results in an increase of 4 squared, which is 16. Thus, the impact force when hitting an object at 80 mph is 16 times greater than the impact force when at 20 mph.

This understanding is crucial for drivers, as it highlights the exponentially increasing risks associated with higher speeds, underscoring the importance of adhering to speed limits and driving safely.