What type of tire mark indicates that the tire has locked due to braking or collision?

A skid mark is a type of tire mark that indicates the tire has locked up due to braking or a collision. When a vehicle’s tires lose traction on the road surface during hard braking, they can create these marks, which are typically dark, long, and straight. Skid marks are useful in accident reconstruction as they can provide information about the vehicle’s speed before the stop, the distance it traveled while skidding, and the point of impact in a collision scenario.

In contrast, flat tire marks refer to marks made by tires that are flat or deflated, and these usually do not indicate braking. Tire imprints are impressions left by tires that can convey information about the tread, but they do not specifically relate to the tire locking. Scuff marks are created when tires slide sideways and can be associated with cornering or slipping rather than direct braking. Thus, skid marks are specifically indicative of a tire's locking action, making them the most relevant choice in this context.