What happens to the severity of a crash as speed increases?

As speed increases, the severity of a crash increases significantly, and this relationship is often described by the principle that the risk and consequences of a collision increase by the square of the speed. This means that if a vehicle's speed doubles, the energy involved in a crash is multiplied by four times, significantly raising the potential for damage and injury. This quadratic relationship highlights how even small increases in speed can lead to much more severe outcomes in the event of an accident. Understanding this concept is crucial for safe driving practices, as it emphasizes the importance of controlling speed to minimize the risk of serious crashes.