How should separate skid marks with a gap of 15 feet or more be counted?

When analyzing skid marks at a crash scene, it is important to determine the nature of each skid mark to accurately reconstruct the events leading to the accident. Skid marks created by a vehicle braking hard are indicative of the vehicle's speed, control, and the braking effectiveness employed by the driver.

When there are separate skid marks with a gap of 15 feet or more, they should be counted as distinct, individual skid marks. This is because a gap of that distance typically indicates that the vehicle has stopped or has significantly changed its trajectory, suggesting that there may have been different braking events or maneuvers occurring. Each separate skid mark can provide valuable information about the conditions and actions taken by the driver at different points along the path.

In contrast, shorter gaps between skid marks might indicate ongoing braking, where the marks could be considered part of a single event. Therefore, understanding the separation of skid marks is crucial in accident reconstruction, particularly when determining factors like speed and vehicle control.

This approach ensures that each relevant piece of evidence is accounted for accurately in the overall analysis of the traffic collision.