Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jake braking now illegal

Truckers and others with loud vehicles will have to tone down the noise their engines make.

The Prescott City Council, in its regular monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 15, adopted an ordinance on engine noise. Basically, the new law concerns what is commonly called Jake braking.

The ordinance is to prevent noise caused by the braking of engines and carries a fine up to $200 per offense.

Under the ordinance, it is illegal for the driver of any large truck or other motor vehicle being used within the city limits to use any device designed to aid in its braking which results in excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise.

However, jake braking can be done when the driver of the vehicle is trying to avoid an accident or damaging property.

Signs will be posted at the entrance of the city at various points notifying truckers of the ordinance. Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said he will get with the Arkansas Highway Department to get the specifications for the signs.

He said the AHD designates where the signs will be placed on the roads. The signs will be ordered as soon as possible, and when erected the ordinance will be in effect.

According to the ordinance, the signs will read No motor braking by order of city ordinance.

The Council also adopted a resolution entering into an interlocal agreement between the Prescott Police Department and Prescott School District.

The resolution is for a resource officer to patrol the schools and keep an eye on things. Officer Ann Jordan will be the resource officer for the second year.

She will be in this position for 10 months, with her duties being to help maintain safety and security at the schools. Jordan will be on campus throughout the school day, unless an emergency comes up and shes needed in the city.

The city and district must enter into this agreement annually.

In other business, the Council approved a bid for a new garbage truck. Hinter of Searcy submitted the low bid at $94,300. There were two other bids, one higher, and the other on a used truck with 257,000 miles on it.

Taylor said it will be October or November before the new truck is delivered. The one it will be replacing will be kept for emergency situations.

The Council also accepted the resignation of Board member Danny Beavert, who has accepted a job with the Post Office. The job requires he step down from public office.

A vacancy was declared in Ward 2. Anyone interested in the position needs to submit a letter to City Hall to be considered. Those interested must also be registered voters living in the district.