§ 31-5-950 — General braking requirements

(a) Every motor vehicle and every combination of vehicles
shall have a service braking system which will stop the vehicle
or combination within forty (40) feet from an initial speed of
twenty (20) miles per hour on a level, dry, smooth, hard surface
or within such shorter distance as may be specified by the
superintendent.
(b) Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles
excluding motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds shall have
a parking brake system adequate to hold the vehicle or
combination on any grade on which it is operated under all
conditions of loading on a surface free from snow, ice or loose
material or which shall comply with performance standards issued
by the superintendent.
(c) When necessary for safe operation, the superintendent
may by regulation require additional braking systems.
(d) The superintendent may adopt performance requirements
for braking systems under this section. In formulating these
requirements, the superintendent shall consider standards of the
United States Department of Transportation, recommendations of
other agencies and organizations, different classes of vehicles,
deceleration rates, speeds, weather, loads, terrain and all
other factors bearing on safe highway operations.
(e) This section applies to motorcycles, motor-driven
cycles, multipurpose vehicles and mopeds unless specifically
excluded.