True or False: A fully loaded commercial truck moving at 55 mph needs 3 times the distance a car needs to stop.

The statement is true. A fully loaded commercial truck has significantly more mass and requires a longer stopping distance compared to a passenger car when both are traveling at the same speed. This is largely due to the laws of physics, specifically the concepts of momentum and friction.

When a vehicle is in motion, its momentum is determined by its mass and speed. A larger and heavier vehicle, like a commercial truck, carries more momentum than a lighter vehicle, such as a car, at the same speed. Consequently, more kinetic energy must be dissipated for the truck to come to a stop, necessitating a longer distance to do so.

Furthermore, the braking systems in large trucks operate differently than those in cars. Trucks may have air brakes, which can affect how effectively they can stop. This combination of weight, momentum, and braking efficiency results in the need for a considerably longer distance to stop. The approximate figure of three times is a general guideline to highlight just how much longer trucks require to stop compared to standard cars. This knowledge is crucial for drivers to maintain safe following distances and avoid collisions, particularly when sharing the road with commercial vehicles.