What happens to an object at rest according to inertia?

Inertia is a fundamental principle of physics that describes the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. Specifically, an object at rest will remain at rest unless an external force acts upon it. This means that without any external influence, such as a push or pull, the object will not change its position. This concept is rooted in Newton's first law of motion, often referred to as the law of inertia. In practical terms, this means that if you have a stationary object, it will not start moving on its own; it requires some force applied to it to cause movement. Understanding this principle is critical for recognizing how forces interact with objects in a variety of scenarios, especially in law enforcement driving where reaction time and understanding of vehicle behavior are essential.