§ 32-18-8 — Capabilities of service brakes--Braking force--Stopping distance--Classification of particular vehicles--Violation as misdemeanor.

Every motor vehicle described in § 32-18-1 and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service brake, shall be capable of: (1) Developing a braking force that is not less than the percentage of its gross weight tabulated herein for its classification; (2) Decelerating to a stop from not more than twenty miles per hour at not less than the feet per second per second tabulated therein for its classification; and (3) Stopping from a speed of twenty miles per hour in not more than the distance tabulated herein for its classification, such distance to be measured from the point at which movement of the service brake pedal or control begins. 1 2 3 4 Classification of Vehicles Braking force as a percentage of gross vehicle or combination weight Deceleration in feet per second per second Brake system application and braking distance in feet from an initial speed of 20 m.p.h. A Passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 people or less including driver, not having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating 52.8% 17 25 B - 1 All motorcycles and motor - driven cycles 43.5% 14 30 B - 2 Single unit vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less 43.5% 14 30 C - 1 Single unit vehicles with a manufacturer's gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds 43.5% 14 40 C - 2 Combination of a two - axle towing vehicle and a trailer with a gross trailer weight of 3,000 pounds or less 43.5% 14 40 C - 3 Buses, regardless of the number of axles, not having a manufacturer's gross weight rating 43.5% 14 40 C - 4 All combinations of vehicles in driveaway - towaway operations 43.5% 14 14 D All other vehicles and combinations of vehicles 43.5% 14 50 A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Legislative History

SDC 1939, § 44.0346; SL 1967, ch 197, § 2; SL 1989, ch 255, § 72.