§ 12-1016. Engine brake prohibited.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prohibit the excessive, loud, unusual or explosive use of engine and compressed air-braking devices within designated areas in the City of Cartersville.

(b)

Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following words and phrases are defined as follows:

(1)

Compression brake. Any device which, by the release of compressed air within an engine cylinder prior to the ignition of fuel therein, results in the slowing of said vehicle and/or braking without the use of wheel brakes and said devices are commonly referred to as "Jacob's Brakes," "Jake Brakes," "Dynamic Brake," "C-Brake," or "Paccar Brake."

(2)

Engine brake. Any device which, by the release of compressed air within an engine cylinder prior to the ignition of fuel therein, results in the slowing of said vehicle and/or braking without the use of wheel brakes, said devises commonly referred to as "Jacob's Brakes," "Jake Brakes," "Dynamic Brake," "C-Brake," or "Paccar Brake."

(c)

Prohibitions. It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to use or operate or cause to be used or operated within designated areas in the City of Cartersville, any engine brake, compression brake or mechanical exhaust device designed to aid in the braking or deceleration of any vehicle that results in excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise from such vehicle, unless such use is necessary to avoid imminent danger. Such prohibition shall be applicable only to those public highways or portions specifically identified in this section.

(d)

Areas of prohibition. The prohibition set forth herein shall apply to the following public highways in the City of Cartersville, Georgia or portions thereof:

(1)

State Route 61 from its intersection with Attaway Drive to the intersection with West Main Street.

(e)

Signage. Signs stating "VEHICLE NOISE LAWS ENFORCED" or "ENGINE BRAKE ORDINANCE ENFORCED" may be installed at locations deemed appropriate by the public works director to advise motorists of the prohibitions contained in this section, except that no sign stating "VEHICLE NOISE LAWS ENFORCED" or "ENGINE BRAKE ORDINANCE ENFORCED" shall be installed on a state highway without a permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation. The provisions of the ordinance codified in this section shall be in full force and effect even if no signs are installed.

(f)

Exceptions. Emergency vehicles shall be exempt from the application of this section.

(Ord. No. 17-17, § 1, 6-1-17)