Electric Brakes

Roadside officers are seeing an increase in the number of carriers using smaller combinations that contain trailers with electric brakes. Currently there is not a uniform way to inspect these electric brake vehicles. We are seeing a wide variety of processes from as simple as checking to see if there is an electric connection going from the power unit to the trailer, to officers jacking up each side of the trailer, spinning the tire and asking the driver to apply the brakes, to everything in between. With no uniform process, you could have a vehicle not be cited in one state only to be placed out-of-service in another due to the differences in procedures.

A uniform procedure of inspecting electric brake vehicles would reduce confusion both in the enforcement and the motor carrier communities, create consistent enforcement of the regulations, and provide for uniform training of new officers. As more motor carriers begin to operate smaller combinations with electric brake vehicles, the importance of providing consistent, uniform enforcement and training would be high.

I would like to see an inspection bulletin created on how to properly inspect electric brake systems.