The Iowa Department of Transportation is concerned about an increasing number of towns in Iowa who have outlawed truck engine brakes, such as Jake Brakes.

Michael Winfrey, director of the Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit, told the Associated Press that these are safety devices, and banning them creates potential hazards.
The Pleasant Hill City Council is the latest town to vote on an ordinance to ban the brakes in the Des Moines suburb. If the ordinance passes in its final vote next month, truckers could be fined $100.
Tom Bredeweg of the Iowa League of Cities told the AP that bans on the brakes have become increasingly popular throughout the state. Oskaloosa officials banned them four years ago, but the ordinance is tough to enforce, because a police officer has to actually witness use of the brakes. In fact, no tickets have been issued.
Scott Weiser, president of the Iowa Motor Truck Assn., suggested that city officials enforce noise ordinances instead of banning the brakes. Properly muffled brakes do not make an excessive amount of noise, but older trucks may be poorly muffled and some truckers remove the mufflers because they like the sound.