Texas Defensive Driving Written Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Speeding decreases your reaction time because it reduces the amount of time you have to perceive, process, and respond to potential hazards on the road. When you are driving at higher speeds, you cover more distance in a shorter amount of time, which means that any hazard you encounter will appear closer to you more quickly. This reduces the time available to react appropriately, such as braking or maneuvering to avoid a collision.

In addition, at higher speeds, the ability to make quick decisions is compromised. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the longer it takes to stop or alter its course, making it more difficult to respond to unexpected situations. Higher speeds also lead to increased stopping distances, meaning that even if you react quickly, the vehicle may not stop in time to avoid a hazard.

This connection between speed and reaction time underscores the importance of adhering to posted speed limits and adjusting your speed according to driving conditions to ensure safer driving.