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Washington Revised Code Title 46. Motor Vehicles § 46.37.351. Performance ability of brakes

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service brakes, 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 herein 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.

Tests for deceleration and stopping distance shall be made on a substantially level (not to exceed plus or minus one percent grade), dry, smooth, hard surface that is free from loose material.

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

Combinations 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

40

D

All other vehicles and combinations of vehicles

43.5%

14

50
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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 46. Motor Vehicles § 46.37.351. Performance ability of brakes - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-46-motor-vehicles/wa-rev-code-46-37-351/

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