What is inertia defined as in driving?

Inertia, in the context of driving, is defined as the tendency of an object to maintain its state of motion unless acted upon by an external force. This principle means that a vehicle that is moving will continue to move in a straight line at a constant speed until a force, such as braking, steering, or friction, causes it to stop or change direction. This property of inertia is crucial for drivers to understand, as it affects how a vehicle behaves in various situations, such as during acceleration, deceleration, and navigating turns.

For instance, while taking a turn, the inertia will push the vehicle outward, so drivers must counteract this by steering appropriately to maintain control. Understanding inertia helps drivers anticipate how their vehicle will respond in different driving conditions, which is essential for safe driving practices.