For gap skid marks, how should each skid be measured?

For gap skid marks, how should each skid be measured?

• A. Measure each skid separately (gaps should be greater than 10 feet)
• B. Measure as one continuous line
• C. Measure only the longest gap
• D. Ignore gaps under 5 feet

Answer: (A)

When skids occur in separate bursts with gaps in between, each skid represents a distinct period of tire slip and braking. Measuring them separately keeps the actual sliding distance for each event intact, which is essential for accurately estimating speeds and braking behavior. If you treated the whole stretch as one continuous line, you’d blend the sliding portions with the non-skidding gaps, inflating the total skid length and distorting the vehicle’s true deceleration. So, when gaps between skid marks exceed about 10 feet, measure each skid individually and note the distance of the gaps as separate measurements. Measure along the path of travel using the same units and start/end points for each skid.

When skids occur in separate bursts with gaps in between, each skid represents a distinct period of tire slip and braking. Measuring them separately keeps the actual sliding distance for each event intact, which is essential for accurately estimating speeds and braking behavior. If you treated the whole stretch as one continuous line, you’d blend the sliding portions with the non-skidding gaps, inflating the total skid length and distorting the vehicle’s true deceleration. So, when gaps between skid marks exceed about 10 feet, measure each skid individually and note the distance of the gaps as separate measurements. Measure along the path of travel using the same units and start/end points for each skid.