Macon County Law Enforcement Center (MCLC) Comprehensive State Practice Exam

Which type of skid pattern indicates a vehicle losing traction while turning?

1. Braking

2. Yaw

3. Scuff

4. Acceleration

The correct answer is: Yaw

The yaw skid pattern is indicative of a vehicle losing traction while turning. This occurs when the rear tires begin to slide out from behind the vehicle during a turn, causing the vehicle to rotate or pivot around a vertical axis. This can result in the front of the vehicle moving in a different direction than the rear, often giving the impression that the vehicle is skidding sideways. Understanding the yaw skid is crucial for law enforcement personnel, as it can help them determine the circumstances of a vehicle accident, particularly in relation to how a vehicle was maneuvering during a specific moment. This knowledge aids in reconstructing events leading up to a crash and assessing whether speed, direction, or road conditions played significant roles in the loss of control. In contrast, other skid patterns such as braking and acceleration skids which typically result from sudden braking or rapid acceleration, do not specifically correlate with the action of turning. Scuff patterns can result from various maneuvers, often related to tire friction, but they do not explicitly indicate a loss of traction while turning in the same clear manner as a yaw skid does.