What causes GAP skids during a vehicle incident?

The occurrence of GAP skids during a vehicle incident is primarily caused by the action of releasing and reapplying the brakes. This phenomenon happens when a driver alternates between braking and releasing the brakes, leading to a loss of traction. When the brakes are applied, the tires grip the road, but when they are released, the grip may be lost momentarily, causing the tires to slide or skid, which is characterized by the GAP skid.

In contrast, consistent braking can lead to different types of skids but does not specifically cause GAP skids because the tires remain engaged with the surface, minimizing the release period that leads to the characteristic slipping. While slipping tires and snowy conditions can contribute to general skidding, they are not the direct causes of GAP skids. Snowy conditions can exacerbate tire slipping but do not explain the mechanism of repeatedly engaging and disengaging the brakes that leads to the GAP skid specifically.