Final answer:
With smart braking, you reduce reaction time, which is the period between perceiving a hazard and acting upon it. Smart braking combines quick reaction with smooth deceleration, understanding the physics of static and kinetic friction. It is crucial for safety as it minimizes the total stopping distance of a vehicle.
Step-by-step explanation:
With smart braking, you reduce reaction time if you need to slow or stop. Reaction time is the interval between the stimulus, like seeing a skateboarder dart in front of your car, and your response, which is applying the brakes. The nervous system controls these rapid responses. In driving, smart braking refers not only to reacting quickly but also to the process of deceleration that is smooth and controlled. This is tied to an understanding of the relationship between static and kinetic friction - easing off the brake pedal as the car comes to a stop prevents the car from stopping with a jolt, which happens when static friction suddenly overtakes kinetic friction.
To study the effects of texting on driving performance, one might compare drivers' response times with and without texting. For instance, measuring how many seconds it takes for a driver to respond when a leading car hits the brakes. When a driver's attention is divided, their reaction time is generally slower, contributing to longer stopping distances. This is why smart braking techniques are essential; they cater not only to the physical mechanics of stopping a car smoothly but to minimizing delay in the driver's reaction, which can significantly affect overall stopping distance, as expressed by the formula Xbraking + reaction = total displacement.