MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

When investigating a traffic crash, where should straight skid marks be measured?

1. At the beginning, center, and end of the skid

2. At the beginning and end of the skid

3. Before the skid mark begins and after it ends

4. Only at the midpoint of the skid

The correct answer is: At the beginning and end of the skid

In the context of investigating a traffic crash, measuring skid marks accurately is vital for reconstructing the incident and determining factors such as speed and stopping distances. The correct approach is to measure at the beginning and end of the skid marks. Measuring at the beginning of the skid mark helps establish the point where the vehicle applied the brakes, which indicates the initial response to a situation that likely necessitated braking. The end of the skid mark is equally important because it signifies where the vehicle came to a stop. This information allows investigators to calculate the distance the vehicle skidded, which can inform conclusions about the vehicle's speed prior to the skid and other dynamics involved in the crash. While there may be some rationale for measuring at additional points such as the center or midpoint, these measurements are not critical for determining the total distance of the skid and would introduce unnecessary complexity to the data collected. Thus, focusing exclusively on the beginning and end provides the essential information needed for crash analysis.