Engine brake law could be coming for city

LIMA - City Council's Safety Services Committee wants to review an ordinance prohibiting engine braking in the city limits.

Many communities have ordinances on the books banning engine braking, a method of slowing tractor-trailers and other large vehicles that creates a loud stuttering sound. Lima, so far, is not one of them.

Residents in certain parts of town have brought the concern to Traffic Commission in recent years, Safety Services Committee Chairman Sam McLean said Monday.

"It's got to be a nuisance across Lima," McLean said. "We should look into it for the quality of life."

The violation would be similar to other traffic violations, enforceable most likely when a police officer witnesses it, Assistant Law Director Tammie Hursh said.

The committee wants to see a proposed ordinance before recommending it to City Council. Some issues, including liability and the amount of a fine, remain.

The Law Department will research ordinances in other communities to see if any issues have been challenged in court. One issue has cropped up: a truck driver said he could not stop for a pedestrian because the community in which he was driving banned engine braking.

McLean said if drivers are following speed limits, they shouldn't need the engine brakes.

The committee also briefly discussed beefing up the city's enforcement of abandoned vehicles. It plans another meeting with city officials who do the work.