A Comparison Study of Skid and Yaw Marks

The discernment of whether a tire mark on a roadway is the result of a skidding tire or is the result of the rotation of the vehicle with unlocked wheels is important in vehicular accident reconstruction analysis. Resolution of the tire marks left by a vehicle after skidding and/or yawing on dry asphalt were experimentally studied for their similarities and differences under controlled test conditions. This paper analyses the results of this study and shows pictorially the differences for use by the accident reconstructionist. Analytical discussion are also presented that illustrate speed determination as estimated from yaw markings on the roadway.