2/6/06-A bill has died that sought to allow a local authority to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of compression engine release brakes on a highway that is under the authority’s jurisdiction.
SB137, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, remained in the Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee Feb. 2, missing the deadline to advance from the House.
The bill would have extended the state’s prohibition on engine brakes. Existing Indiana law bans the brakes’ use on the Indiana Toll Road in counties with populations between 145,000 and 148,000, namely Porter County, east of Gary.
The bill would not have prohibited truck drivers from using the engine brakes if the vehicles’ service brake systems fail.
The local authority’s power to ban engine brakes would not have applied to any highway or street in the state highway system.
Any authority adopting the local ordinance would have been required to post signs at each end of an affected highway alerting drivers of the ban.

1/4/06-A bill in the Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee would allow a local authority to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of compression engine release brakes on a highway that is under the authority’s jurisdiction.
SB137, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, would not prohibit truck drivers from using the engine brakes if the vehicle’s service brakes system fails.
The prohibition would not apply to any highway or street in the state highway system.
Any authority adopting the ordinance would be required to post signs at each end of an affected highway alerting drivers of the ban.
If approved, it would extend the state’s prohibition on engine brakes. Existing Indiana law bans the brakes’ use on the Indiana Toll Road in counties with populations between 145,000 and 148,000, namely Porter County, east of Gary.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.