Spencer officials looking into ways to handle the rising issue of jake braking on Highway 111.
Trucks sometime use the process where the exhaust system, not the brakes, can be used to slow vehicles. The problem is the loud noise that emanates from the process. Alderman David Chandler said citizens who live along Highway 111 have made several complaints about jake braking. Chandler said addressing it could spread the police department thin.
“If they did have to regulate that they would have to spend a lot of time doing that,” Chandler said. “And of course, they have to be there to hear it and you know then you have to prove that they were breaking the decibels you know, whatever we set those limits at. It is a hassle but hopefully, we could do something to at least quiet it down some.”
Chandler said many semi-trucks come through Spencer, as Highway 111 is a popular route for trucks traveling from Georgia to Kentucky. Chandler said he believes jake braking through town is unnecessary.
“There is really no need in them using it right here on top of the mountain,” Chandler said. “Now going down the mountain of course yes they need it but here through town on the mountain I don’t they really need to use them if they are driving the proper speed limit.”
Chandler said he believes a speeding issue is what is leading to the jake braking issue.
“We have some little small rolling hills and like I said when they top that hill they may be going a little too fast cause we do have a speeding problem through here because they forget that it’s 45mph and they are coming from a 55mph then goes to a 45mph and then it goes to a 65mph,” Chandler said. “It depends on which direction you are coming from and it is a problem.”
Chandler said the city would have to reach out to the state about regulating jake braking on Highway 111 as it is a state highway. Chandler said the city cannot put a jake braking enforcement sign on the highway without the state’s permission.
