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What causes car skid marks?
I just moved to a house on a country highway and I’ve noticed lots of skid marks on the road near my property. What could be causing these skid marks?
Laura Salvas · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congrats on the new home! There’s reason to be concerned about what could be happening near your home if skid marks are abundant. **Car skid marks can be caused by rapid acceleration, sudden braking, or taking a corner too fast. **
It’s common to assume the black pattern left on the road is melted rubber from the tires, but the mark is actually a stain on the asphalt caused by the tire friction heating oils on the road.
To sort out what could be causing skid marks, you will need to be able to recognize each type of mark.
Acceleration marks
These marks are caused by a vehicle
accelerating so fast
it can’t quite grip the road. These marks are darkest at the beginning at the point in which the tires began to spin quickly.Braking marks
When a
car brakes
quickly, it can cause a skid mark as locked tires cause friction on the road. These marks are darkest at the end, where the vehicle and road experience the most friction. The length of a braking mark can determine the speed the vehicle was traveling.Yaw marks
These marks are caused by tires skidding to the side, such as in taking a corner without decelerating. They are always curved.
Examples of what could be causing these skid marks might include:
- Drag racing (acceleration marks)
- Animals running onto the road (braking marks or yaw marks)
- A sudden sharp curve in the road (yaw marks)
- A hidden driveway entrance or intersection (braking marks)
It’s hard to determine an exact cause by skid marks alone. Even in the case of an accident,** a forensic specialist would need to analyze and measure skid marks, applying specific formulas to determine the cause. **
Meantime, best to exercise some caution when driving in the area in case there is a safety issue leading to these skid marks.
It’s also a good idea to ensure you have the best
car insurance
, which is easy to do with super app Jerry
. Just answer a few quick questions and Jerry will compare policies from top insurers, instantly presenting you with options that save you money. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year!MORE: How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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