Legalize Engine (Jake) Brakes

Its not about needing them, its about fighting for rights, before they take away more. You don't really ever technically NEED it, but there are a lot of circumstances where it helps out. People drove and stopped trucks all the time, before they were around. But nowadays with over-sized loads getting the size they are, it just makes life easier to use them. Engine brakes save money, they allow safer stopping, and if you put them on correctly they can be quieter than the truck taking off. But like I said before, if you are tolerant and let them take away the ability to use engine brakes, without risking getting a ticket, its just a matter of time before they take away more rights. Eventually it will seriously affect how easily, and safely you can do your jobs...

 

I get that people need a little respect, while using them, at least if they feel the need to have one that is excessively noisy. But there are ways that you can have/use an engine brake, where it is quieter than the trucks take off. Which if what they have a problem with is systems that are too loud, why not just take away the rights of the people that feel the need to wake people up at 3 am. That's not what they are doing, they are taking the rights away from all truckers, regardless of the systems on their trucks, or the amount of respect they have. My dad hauls over-sized loads, and it helps him save his truck brakes significantly, if he uses the engine brake. And the fact of the matter is, his engine brake makes about half the noise of his trucks take off. But even with that, with the laws being set up the way they are, he risks getting a ticket every time he goes past one of those signs, when most people wouldn't even notice him using it. They already have restrictions in place, throughout the nation, for noise pollution. Enforce that law if what you have a problem with is the loud engine brakes. But there is no need to outlaw all engine brakes, because some people are inconsiderate. This is just like gun laws. Our gun rights are disappearing fairly quickly. They are taking rights away from the people that know how to use the device safely, because of the people that do not, or refuse too. If you outlaw guns, the only people with guns will be outlaws. Why punish responsible people for the irresponsible ones. If they want to enforce 'noise pollution' laws, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I have a problem with a full on ban, because a couple people got annoyed...