What is the primary use of yaw marks in traffic crash investigations?

The primary use of yaw marks in traffic crash investigations is indeed to identify the speed of the vehicle involved in a crash. Yaw marks are produced when a vehicle is being turned or maneuvered sharply, causing it to slide sideways while the wheels are still turning. The characteristics of these marks, such as their length and width, can give investigators valuable clues about the dynamics of the vehicle during the incident.

By analyzing the yaw marks, investigators can estimate the speed at which the vehicle was traveling at the time the marks were created. This information plays a crucial role in reconstructing the traffic crash and understanding how fast the vehicle was moving when it encountered a specific situation on the roadway.

While determining the type of vehicle and assessing its handling during the maneuver can be gleaned from other aspects of the crash investigation, the primary significance of yaw marks specifically lies in their ability to aid in speed estimation. Skid distances, which are also important in crash analysis, relate more to braking scenarios rather than the turning dynamics represented by yaw marks.