10.02.025 Unmuffled compression brakes prohibited.

A.    Except as provided in this section, no person shall use motor vehicle unmuffled compression brakes within the unincorporated area of Clark County. It shall be an affirmative defense that said unmuffled compression brakes were applied in an emergency to protect persons and/or property.

B.    This section shall not apply to vehicles of any municipal fire department, whether or not responding to an emergency.

C.    As used in this section, the term “compression brakes” means the use of the engine and transmission to retard the forward motion of a motor vehicle by compression of the engine. “Compression brakes” are also referred to as “jake brakes.”

D.    The county engineer shall post at reasonable locations within the boundaries of the county signs indicating “unmuffled compression brakes prohibited” or substantially similar wording. The engineer shall have authority to post signs pursuant to this section on roads in the unincorporated area in response to reasonable requests from the community, the county executive or the board. Existing compression brake signs on county roads shall remain and be maintained and replaced, when necessary, with language consistent with this section.

E.    Violation of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction and shall be punishable by a maximum penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per violation. (Sec. 1 of Ord. 2000-01-01)