HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1042

As Amended by the Senate

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

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (19)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Betrozoff, Day, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Hankins, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, R. Meyers, Prentice, Smith, D. Sommers, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 a new 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 brakes on the front wheels.  The legislation was in response to extensive federal testing which 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 prevents a brake lock up and subsequent loss of steering when the brakes are 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 (certain classes of school buses, fire trucks, etc.), 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 which 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.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  A typographical error in the language dealing with restricter valves is corrected -- "psi" means pounds per inch.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Major Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Operable front brakes and a manual backup braking system on all vehicles equipped with air brakes is an added safety feature.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 85; Nays 6; Absent 3; Excused 4

Voting Nay: Representatives Bowman, Brumsickle, Fuhrman, Padden, Prince and Wolfe

Absent:     Representatives Basich, Hargrove and Schmidt

Excused:    Representatives Doty, King P., Locke and Schoon