- Nervous-Reaction-0.mp3
- Nervous-Reaction-0.mp4
- Nervous-Reaction-I.mp3
- Nervous-Reaction-I.mp4
- Nervous-Reaction-II.mp3
- Nervous-Reaction-II.mp4
- Nervous-Reaction-III.mp3
- Nervous-Reaction-III.mp4
- Nervous-Reaction-live-intro.mp3
[Intro]
A nervous reaction
Occurs in a fraction
Then, depending on friction
How fast till slow motion
[Verse 1]
Traveling distance
How long till I stop
[Break]
Stop!
Momentum’s movement
How long till I stop
[Break]
Stop!
[Bridge]
Sensory input
(Signal transmission)
Processing throughput
(Confirm visual recognition)
Motor response
(I won’t bounce)
Get satisfaction
(Through action)
[Chorus]
A nervous reaction
Occurs in a fraction
Then, depending on friction
How fast till slow motion
[Verse 2]
Do I have a notion…
How long till I stop
[Break]
Stop!
Got that forward motion
How long till I stop
[Break]
Stop!
[Bridge]
Sensory input
(Signal transmission)
Processing throughput
(Confirm visual recognition)
Motor response
(I won’t bounce)
Get satisfaction
(Through action)
[Chorus]
A nervous reaction
Occurs in a fraction
Then, depending on friction
How fast till slow motion
[Bridge]
Sensory input
(Signal transmission)
Processing throughput
(Confirm visual recognition)
Motor response
(I won’t bounce)
[Outro]
Get satisfaction
(Through action)
A SCIENCE NOTE
The distance you should maintain behind a car depends on several factors, including speed, road conditions, and your reaction time. A common rule of thumb is to leave at least 2 seconds of following distance under normal driving conditions. This accounts for the physics of momentum and friction, as well as the reaction time of your nervous system.
Physics of Reaction Time:
When you see a car brake ahead of you, your nervous system goes through several steps before you actually hit your brakes:
- Sensory Input: Your eyes detect the change in the car’s movement or brake lights.
- Signal Transmission: This visual information travels as electrical impulses along the optic nerve to the brain.
- Processing: The brain interprets the information and decides to act, sending signals to the motor cortex.
- Motor Response: Signals are transmitted from the brain, through the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, to your leg muscles.
- Action: Your muscles contract, pressing the brake pedal.
This entire process typically takes 0.2 to 0.5 seconds under normal conditions, but distractions, fatigue, or impairment can lengthen it. During this reaction time, your car continues to move forward at its current speed, which is why maintaining adequate following distance is critical for safety.