Which type of skids should be recorded separately if gaps are present?

Gap skids should be recorded separately when gaps are present because they indicate a specific pattern of vehicle movement that can provide valuable insight into the circumstances of the crash. A gap skid occurs when a vehicle has intermittent contact with the road surface due to the driver applying the brakes in a manner that causes the wheels to lock up momentarily and then release. The resulting skid marks provide clues as to the driver’s actions leading up to the crash, such as how hard they braked and the consistency of their braking technique.

Recording gap skids separately helps crash investigators analyze how a vehicle was handled and how it responded to the driver's inputs. This information can be critical in reconstructing the events leading up to the crash, assessing speeds, and understanding the dynamics of the incident. In contrast, other types of skids, such as controlled, skip, or curved skids, may not exhibit the same characteristics or provide the same level of detail regarding the driver's actions and vehicle dynamics. Therefore, recognizing and documenting gap skids can significantly aid in a thorough investigation of the crash.