New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Practice Test

Choosing a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see ahead is fundamental for safe driving, particularly for commercial vehicles. This principle is rooted in the concept of visibility and reaction time. In any driving situation, your ability to respond to potential hazards is directly linked to how fast you are traveling. If the speed is too high, there may not be enough time to react appropriately to an obstacle or danger, leading to a higher risk of an accident.

By selecting a speed that permits stopping within the visible distance, you are essentially ensuring that you have adequate reaction time to address any unforeseen circumstances, such as pedestrians crossing the road, sudden stops of vehicles, or other hazards that may arise. This practice is especially critical for commercial drivers, who operate larger vehicles that require longer stopping distances due to their weight and momentum.

The other options do not align with safe driving principles. For instance, while stopping distances do increase with speed, it is not simply a matter of doubling the distance when speed is doubled, as braking distance is influenced by more variables like road conditions and vehicle weight. The claim about empty trucks always stopping in a shorter distance is inaccurate as well, as a fully loaded truck typically requires a longer stopping distance due to its increased weight. Lastly