LSESSON 5.

SKIDMARK AS A TOOL IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Skidmarks.

A. Skidmarks as a Tool in Traffic Accident Investigation.

1. Measurement of skidmarks gives idea on how fast the car which left these marks was going prior to
the accident.

2. Estimates of speed based on skidmarks may lead to convictions; or knowing how to estimate speed
correctly may help to keep an innocent person from being convicted.

B. Other Tire Marks. The investigators' first job is to find out if the mark on the pavement is a skid mark
or another type of tire mark. Thus, he must familiarize himself with the following marks that may be left
by a motor vehicle on a road surface:

1. Centrifugal skid mark A marking on a speeding vehicle on a curve when the curve and the centrifugal
force entire the mass of the vehicle and its tire.
2. Impending skid marks The shadowy beginning of a skid mark along the approach path of the vehicle.

3. Yawn marks Made by a tire that is rotating and sliding sideways parallel to that wheel's axle
4. Skip mark a mark formed by the intersection at a low angle of an object with a muddy sediment
surface, so that the object skips across the surface, producing a linear series of depressions

5. Side Skid Mark (Scuff mark) These marks are left by a tire sliding sideways, without braking. Close
striations are a characteristic of side scuffs.

6. Gap skid An intermittent skid mark which is caused by the release and reapplication of the brakes.

C. Other Marks and Impression Left by a Motor Vehicle either on the Road Surface or on the Other
Motor Vehicle.

1. Ruts. A sunken track worn by a wheel, as in road; hence, a groove forming a path for anything.
 2. Gouge. A groove made by a hard part of a motor vehide to another car after side sweeping each
other.

3. Paint Strips. When a vehicle collided with other object, it sometimes transfers its paint to the
other object.

D. Skidmarks as Evidence in Accident Cases.

E. Skidmarks Do Not Show All of the Speed.

Evidence of Additional Speed

1. Sliding with one or more wheels before any skidmarks begin to appear.
2. Braking without skidding.
3. Dragging the car as it hits some object.
4. Damaging other cars or objects.
5. Sliding other cars or objects along the way
6. Vaulting or bouncing up into the air.