New Jersey Driver's Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

When driving on a curve, your vehicle tends to continue moving straight ahead due to the principle of inertia, which is described by Newton's first law of motion. Inertia is the tendency of an object to remain in its current state of motion unless acted upon by an external force.

As you navigate a curve, the road is directing your vehicle's path, but the natural tendency of the vehicle is to resist that change and move forward in a straight line. This can create an illusion where it feels as if the car is drifting outward from the curve, but in reality, the vehicle wants to maintain a straight line unless the driver actively steers in the direction of the curve and applies the necessary forces to keep it on the curved path.

Understanding the dynamics involved when turning is crucial for maintaining control, especially in a vehicle's response to curves. It helps drivers comprehend the importance of adjusting speed and steering appropriately to manage both the inertia and centrifugal forces at play.