Truckers will be asked to go easy on use of Jake brakes
By Bill Rea

It's not clear how much good it will do, but King Township is going to try reduce the use of engine or Jake brakes on trucks in villages.

King councillors recently went along with the motion from Councillor Jeff Laidlaw to pass a bylaw restricting their use.

York Regional council last year voted to ask the province to look at the amending the Highway Traffic Act to help with enforcement to prevent unnecessary noise from these breaks. Township council agreed to send a letter to the Ministry of Transportation supporting that effort.

The Regional staff report stated engine brakes are used to supplement wheelbraking systems on heavy trucks by increasing drag on the drive train. It also stated that the Ontario Trucking Association has reported complaints about these brakes always involve the noise they make.

"A truck with a properly functioning exhaust muffler does not produce more noise with the engine brake applied than the same truck accelerating from a stopped position while carrying a load," the regional report stated. "Trucks that are properly maintained do not create a noise problem when applying engine brakes. Trucks that create unnecessary noise typically have modified or poorly maintained exhaust systems."

The Region also approved the erection of signs requesting truck drivers avoid the use of their engine brakes.

Laidlaw observed other communities have passed bylaws to restrict their use, but there's no evidence of how effective they have been. Despite that, he could "see no particular harm" in passing a bylaw, he remarked.

Councillor Jack Rupke commented one way to reduce truck noise would be to have a bypass around King Road. He had put forth a motion in February, aimed at moving that work ahead, and he charged Laidlaw voted against it. Laidlaw said he abstained, but Rupke said that's the same as negative vote.

Director of Operations Jody LaPlante stated municipal noise bylaws cover issues like this, but they're hard to enforce.

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti said he had seen signs posted asking drivers to avoid the Jake brakes. "Nothing stops us from putting these signs up," he remarked.

LaPlante said they really don't mean much until the Highway Traffic Act is changed. "It's really just courtesy sign for now," he said.

Mayor Margaret Black added the signs have been installed in nearby Bolton, and she's heard of no problems resulting.

Laidlaw suggested restrictions could be imposed for nights, but Councillor Bill Cober countered that wouldn't help people who work nights and sleep during the day.

Laidlaw persisted with the bylaw, pointing out there are other bylaws that work despite not having teeth.