FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1042

                                  C 221 L 89

BYRepresentatives G. Fisher, Baugher, Schmidt,R. Meyers, Hankins, Winsley and Gallagher; by request of Washington State Patrol

Revising braking equipment requirements for trucks.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 a federal law became effective which requires all trucks manufactured on or after July 25, 1980 with three or more axles to be equipped with operable front brakes.  The legislation was in response to extensive federal testing that concluded that the practice of disconnecting front brakes creates a serious safety hazard.  Some truckers were disconnecting the front brakes in the belief that this prevented a brake lock up and subsequent loss of steering when the brakes were suddenly applied in snow, ice or rain.

The federal law does allow the use of automatic restricter valves.  A restricter valve is a device installed on the front brakes that regulates the percentage of braking efficiency on the front wheel brakes.  In inclement weather conditions, the braking efficiency on the front brakes can be reduced by up to 50 percent to prevent a brake and steering lock up in a sudden stop.  Restricter valves are allowed only on the front brakes; rear brakes must operate at 100 percent braking efficiency.

Vehicles with air brakes that tow trailers are required to have two means for emergency application of the brakes.  However, air brake equipped vehicles that do not tow trailers including certain classes of school buses and fire trucks, are not required to be equipped with a manual backup braking system.  There have been accidents involving school buses and fire trucks with malfunctioning air brakes, such as a leak in the line.  When a malfunction occurs, the air pressure builds to a level that allows the brakes to release on their own.

SUMMARY:

Washington statutes are brought into compliance with federal law by requiring trucks manufactured on or after July 25, 1980, with three or more axles, to have brakes on the front wheels.  If the vehicle has two or more steerable axles, the wheels of one steerable axle do not need to be equipped with front brakes.  Automatic restricter valves that can reduce the front wheel braking efficiency by up to 50 percent are permitted.

All vehicles equipped with air brakes that do not tow trailers are required to have a manual backup braking system.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 85   6

      Senate    47     1 (Senate amended)

      House 94   1 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989