What is the point of impact?

• A. The point where two colliding vehicles first touch
• B. The speed at which impact occurred
• C. The final resting position of the vehicles
• D. The location where airbags deployed

Answer: (A)

In a crash, the point of impact is the exact location where the two vehicles first touch. This initial contact shows where the force begins to transfer and helps investigators understand the crash dynamics, such as which parts of the cars met first and how they moved afterward. It’s not about how fast the vehicles were moving at impact—that’s the velocity—nor is it about where the cars end up after they stop, which can change as the crash unfolds. It also isn’t about where airbags deploy, which relates to occupant protection systems and sensor timing rather than the first contact between vehicles. So the point of impact—the first contact between the vehicles—best captures the moment the collision begins.