New Jersey § 39:3-68

§ 39:3-68.

Every vehicle or combination of vehicles using compressed air at the wheels for applying

the service brakes shall be equipped with an emergency stopping system meeting the

requirements of this section and capable of stopping the vehicle or combination of

vehicles in the event of failure in the service brake air system as follows: a. Towing vehicles which use compressed air at the wheels for applying the service

brakes shall be equipped with a device with an automatic means of actuating an emergency

stopping system on the towed vehicle. The device shall operate automatically in the event of a reduction of the service

air brake supply of the towing vehicle to a fixed pressure which shall not be lower

than 20 pounds per square inch nor higher than 45 pounds per square inch. b. Towed vehicles shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section when: (1) The towed vehicle is equipped with a no-bleed-back relay-emergency valve or equivalent

device, so designed that the supply reservoir used to provide air for the brakes is

safeguarded against backflow of air from the reservoir through the supply line; and (2) The combination of vehicles is capable of stopping within the distance and under

the conditions specified in subsections g. and h. of this section. c. If the service brake system and the emergency stopping system are connected in

any way, they shall be so constructed that a failure or malfunction in any one part

of either system, including brake chamber diaphragm failure but not including failure

in the drums, brakeshoes, or other mechanical parts of the wheel brake assemblies,

shall not leave the vehicle without one operative stopping system capable of complying

with the performance requirements in subsection g. of this section. d. No vehicle or combination of vehicles upon failure of the service brake air system

shall be driven on a highway under its own power except to the extent necessary to

move the vehicles off the roadway to the nearest place of safety. e. No vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be equipped with an emergency stopping

system that creates a hazard on the highway, or increases the service brake stopping

distance of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, or interferes in any way with the

application of the service brakes on any vehicle or combination of vehicles. f. Any energy-storing device which is a part of the emergency stopping system shall

be designed so that it is recharged or reset from the source of compressed air or

other energy produced by the vehicle, except that energy to release the emergency

stopping system may be produced by the driver's muscular effort from the driver's

seat. No device shall be used which can be set to prevent automatic delivery of air to

protected air supply reservoirs of motor vehicle emergency stopping systems when air

is available in the service brake air supply system. g. Every motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions

of loading, upon application of the emergency stopping system, shall be capable of

stopping from a speed of 20 miles per hour in not more than the distance tabulated

herein for its classification, this distance to be measured from the point at which

movement of the emergency stopping system control begins. EMERGENCY STOPPING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Classification of vehicle and combination of vehicles Stopping Distance In Feet A. Passenger-carrying vehicles. (1) Vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 persons or less, including driver, and built

on a passenger car chassis 54 (2) Vehicles with a seating capacity of more than 10 persons, including driver, and built

on a passenger car chassis; vehicles built on a truck or bus chassis and having a

manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds or less 66 (3) All other passenger-carrying vehicles 85 B. Property-carrying vehicles. (1) Single unit vehicles having a manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000

pounds or less 66 (2) Single unit vehicles having a manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than

10,000 pounds, except truck tractors. Combinations of a 2-axle towing vehicle and

trailer having a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 3,000 pounds or less. All combinations

of 2 or less vehicles in driveaway or towaway operation 85 (3) All other property-carrying vehicles and combination of property-carrying vehicles 90 h. Tests of deceleration and stopping distance shall be made on a substantially level

dry, smooth, hard surface that is free from loose material and where the grade does

not exceed plus or minus 1%. No test of emergency stopping system performance shall be made upon a highway at

a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour. i. The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) Auxiliary dollies, special mobile equipment, or special construction equipment;

or (2) Disabled vehicles when being towed. j. Every owner or lessee shall instruct and require that the driver be thoroughly

familiar with the requirements of this section. The driver of a vehicle or combination of vehicles required to comply with the requirements

of this section shall be able to demonstrate the application and release of the emergency

system on the vehicle and each vehicle in combination.