1. (a) Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, on application of the service brake, shall be capable of:

   1. (1) Developing a braking force that is not less than the percentage of its gross weight tabulated in subsection (c) of this section for its classification;
   2. (2) Decelerating to a stop from not more than 20 miles per hour at not less than the feet per second tabulated in subsection (c) of this section for its classification; and
   3. (3) Stopping from a speed of 20 miles per hour in not more than the distance tabulated in subsection (c) of this section for its classification, this distance to be measured from the point at which movement of the service brake pedal or control begins.
2. (b) Tests for deceleration and stopping distance shall be made on a substantially level (not to exceed plus or minus 1 percent grade), dry, smooth, hard surface that is free from loose material.

3. (c) The following table sets forth the tabulations referred to in subsection (a) of this section:

   1

   2

   3

   4

   Classification of vehicle

   Braking force as a percentage of gross vehicle or combination weight

   Deceleration in feet 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

   43.5%

   14

   30

   B-2

   Single unit vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less

   31%

   10

   20

   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 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 weight rating

   43.5%

   14

   40

   C-4

   All combinations of vehicles in driveaway-towaway combinations

   43.5%

   14

   40

   D

   All other vehicles and combinations of vehicles

   43.5%

   14

   50

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1992, c. 22, § 1; Acts 2019, c. 8, § 1, eff. March 27, 2019; Acts 2020, c. 86, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.

Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 12-302.