In terms of driving, what does inertia refer to?

Inertia refers to the property of matter that describes an object's tendency to maintain its state of motion unless acted upon by an external force. In the context of driving, this means that a vehicle in motion will continue to move at the same speed and in the same direction unless something—such as the driver applying the brakes or steering—changes that motion. This fundamental principle of physics is crucial for drivers to understand because it emphasizes the importance of speed control and the need for distance management when approaching stops or turns. Understanding inertia helps drivers anticipate how their vehicle will react in various driving scenarios, leading to safer driving practices.