A terminal slowdown switch is a shaft-mounted switch near the top and bottom landings that forces the drive to reduce speed if the normal stopping control fails to slow the car in time. It is independent of the position system and acts as a backup, initiating an emergency deceleration profile before the car reaches the terminal floor. High-speed lifts use several slowdown switches at different distances so that deceleration can be staged. It is distinct from the final limit switch, which cuts power entirely.