The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: What do we see when we look at skidmarks?

Ed Phillips (edphill@aol.com)
Tue, 6 Aug 1996 10:39:46 -0400 (EDT)

What happens with a tire is the same thing (generally) that happens with an eraser. The rubber is ground off and left behind. The visible tire mark is the deposit from the tire material. Bill's heating example is a good one if it's tire heat why do we frequently see the tire across a painted line? Wouldn't the paint melt and paint transfer on to the tire? Often the clearest marks are those on the paint line. It provides good contrast to the tire deposit. It is the same reason that people who never skid still have to replace their tires. They erode material is worn off each time it rolls. More is worn off when it is grinding against the irregualr surface of a roadway.
Ed Phillips
edphill@aol.com

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