LEGAL ASPECTS OF SKIDMARKS IN TRAFFIC CASES. PT. 1.

THE USES OF SKIDMARKS IN TRAFFIC CASES ARE DISCUSSED IN LIGHT OF CURRENT JUDICIAL RULINGS. THE EVIDENCE OF SKIDMARKS OR OTHER MARKS MADE BY MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PAVEMENT OR ROADWAY IS GENERALLY ADMISSABLE, WHERE THE WITNESS TESTIFYING HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE THE MARKS BEFORE ANY CHANGE HAD TAKEN PLACE. A PROPER FOUNDATION FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH EVIDENCE SHOULD FIRST BE LAID, HOWEVER, BY SHOWING HOW SOON AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE WITNESS OBSERVED THE MARKINGS, HIS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCURATE OBSERVATIONS AND ANY OTHER FACTORS EXPLANATORY OF THE SKIDMARKS OR TRACKS AND THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE. SKIDMARKS NEVER SHOW THE SPEED OF A CAR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THEY ONLY PERMIT AN ESTIMATE OF HOW FAST THE CAR WOULD HAVE HAD TO BE GOING TO SLIDE TO A STOP IN THE DISTANCE SHOWN BY THE SKIDMARKS. OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS DAMAGE SEVERITY MUST BE CONSIDERED FOR AN ACCURATE SPEED ESTIMATE. /HSL/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 18, No 6-7, PP 32-40
• Authors:
  • Rifas, R A
• Publication Date: 1970-6

Media Info

• Serial:
  • TRAFFIC DIGEST AND REVIEW
  • Publisher: Northwestern University, Evanston

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Distance; Evidence; Loss and damage; Skidding; Skidmarks; Speed indicators; Traffic courts; Witnesses
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00226091
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Literature
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 8 1971 12:00AM