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) Every motor vehicle operated either singly or in a combination of vehicles and every towed vehicle shall be equipped with an emergency stopping system. (b) Motor vehicles used to tow vehicles that use compressed air at the wheels for applying the service brakes shall be equipped with a device or devices with both a manual and automatic means of actuating the emergency stopping system on the towed vehicle as follows: (1) The automatic device shall operate automatically in the event of reduction of the service brake air supply of the towing vehicle to a fixed pressure which shall be not lower than 20 pounds per square inch nor higher than 45 pounds per square inch. (2) The manual device shall be readily operable by a person seated in the driverâs seat, with its emergency position or method of operation clearly indicated. In no instance may the manual means be so arranged as to permit its use to prevent operation of the automatic means. (c) Motor vehicles manufactured prior to 1964 shall be deemed to be in compliance with subdivisions (e) and (f) when equipped with axle-by-axle protected airbrakes using a separate air tank system for each of at least two axles, provided that each system independently meets all other requirements of this section. Each system shall be capable of being manually applied, released, and reapplied from the driverâs seat but shall not be capable of being released from the driverâs seat after any reapplication unless there is available a means which can be applied from the driverâs seat to stop and hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles. (d) 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, (2) The brakes are applied automatically and promptly upon breakaway from the towing vehicle and maintain application for at least 15 minutes, and (3) The combination of vehicles is capable of stopping within the distance and under the conditions specified in Section 26454. (e) 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, brake shoes, 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 Section 26454. (f) Every emergency stopping system shall be designed so that it is capable of being manually applied, released, and reapplied by a person seated in the driverâs seat. The system shall be designed so that it cannot be released from the driverâs seat after any reapplication unless immediate further application can be made from the driverâs seat to stop and hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles. The emergency stopping system may also be applied automatically. (g) A vehicle or combination of vehicles upon failure of the service brake air system shall not 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. (h) A vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not 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 applicat
‹ Prev All California sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.