Citation

Tandy DF, Colborn J, Pascarella RJ, Hoover TD. Collision 2011; 6(1): 62-80.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Analyzing tire and rim marks at accident scenes can yield valuable data for accident reconstructionists. This paper summarizes a comprehensive study that was conducted on tire marks on and off the roadway in order to show what various tire marks may look like and how they were created. Although similar studies have been published, most are outdated and do not include evidence from vehicles with antilock brakes, traction control or electronic stability control systems. Evidence from both actual crash scenes and on-track testing are considered. Tire marks on Portland cement concrete and asphaltic concrete pavements were examined. The study also shows rim gouges and scrape marks. The findings from this study can help reconstructionists determine important information such as if the vehicle's brakes were applied, if the vehicle was placed in a yaw, or if a tire became deflated or experienced a tire treat belt separation.