Natural law’s affect stopping distance, braking, and steering. Understanding the relationships between natural laws and driving can help you to be a better and a safer driver.

How Do Natural Laws Influence Braking Distance?

The laws of nature affect all vehicles the same way, but people react differently. The distance your car takes to stop is its total stopping distance. Perception distance, reaction distance, plus braking distance make up total stopping distance. 

In order to stop you must identify a need to stop (perception distance), react by breaking (reaction distance), and slow your car to a stop (braking distance). Each of these actions takes time. Time means distance and speed affects your stopping distance. 

• Natural Laws and Braking

Braking is a result of friction between the brake linings and the wheel drums or wheel discs and pads. This friction slows the rotation of the wheels and tires and increases adhesion between the tires and the road. As you brake, you decrease your car’s momentum and kinetic energy. 

• Factors Affecting Braking Distance.

The following factors can increase braking distance:

• Speed

The greater the speed the longer the braking distance.

• Conditions of the Vehicle

Worn brakes, tires, or shock absorbers reduce traction. Reduced traction increases braking distance.

• Condition of the roadway

Braking distance is greater when the friction on the roadway surface is reduced.

• Hills and Mountains

Gravity affects the time and space needed to stop a car going downhill. A car going downhill tends to go faster and the braking distance increases. 

• What Factors and Natural Laws Affect Steering?

Your ability to steer a car depends on many factors: the steering mechanism, tires, and suspension are three mechanical factors. Wheel alignment and road conditions are important in steering, as is the way you load the car.

Directional control refers to a car’s ability to hold a straight line. If your car has good directional control you will have an easy time keeping the car moving in the direction you steer it.

Hand position is another factor that affects car control. Hold the steering wheel firmly, but with your fingers rather than the palms of your hands. Keep your thumbs along the face of the steering, not wrapped around it. 

How Do Natural Laws Affect Steering Around a Curve?

As you enter a curve you must overcome the effects of inertia by turning the steering wheel. You feel as if you are being pulled toward the door into the curve. What you feel is centrifugal force. 

As you slow down and enter the curve, friction between the tires and the road acts against centrifugal force and allows the car to follow a curved path. As long as there is enough friction to overcome centrifugal force you can make the turn.

As you turn the wheel, the front tires provide the traction needed to turn the car. Slow your car as you enter a curve as the faster you go the more difficult it is for traction to overcome inertia. If your speed is too high when entering a curve you may understeer or oversteer. 

How Do Gravity and the Contour of the Road Affect Steering?

Gravity in relation to the contour of the road affects how well a car will take a curve.

• Banked Roads

The road is higher on the outside of curves than on the inside. On a properly banked curve, the roadway tilts down toward the inside of the curve. The downward tilt of a banked curve improves steering control by working with the force of gravity. If the downward tilt was toward the outside of the curve, gravity and inertia would tend to pull the car off the road, making steering more difficult. 

• Crowned Roads

Crowned roads are higher in the center than at either of the edges to facilitate drainage. When driving on a crowned road gravity will tend to pull your car to the right off the roadway. You must counteract the effect of gravitational pull by exerting more force on the steering wheel to keep the car on the road.