jake brakes not allowed for new drivers

jake brakes not allowed for new drivers
Posted: Thu Jul 6, 2006 9:15:20 AM

I'm concerned about my husbands safety.  He's a recent graduate of Steven's Transport.  He is on is own now for the first time and the company disconnects the jake brake for the first 90 days of his solo driving.  He does a lot of driving to CA on I-15 and AZ on Hwy 68.  Evidently these are high grade (6%) downhill runs.  To make it safely down these hills he pretty much has his foot on the brakes the whole way down as well as down shifting as needed.  He's had to stop a few times to let the smoking brakes cool.  He's seen numerous trucks that have NOT made it down these steep hills. Can anyone tell me why a company would jeapordize the driver's life as well as the public's by disconnecting the jake brake?  I understand there are laws about using them in residential areas because of the noise.  I'm having a hard time with Steven's Transport's regulation about this (among others).  Any and all information you can provide would be greatly appreciated ! 

RE:jake brakes not allowed for new drivers
Posted: Fri Jul 7, 2006 9:11:56 AM

Companies usually disconnect the jake brake because new drivers are not effecient at shifting and if done improperly could tear up a transmission. Until a driver learns or becomes more effecient in shifting it is better this way. THere is no safety jeapordized. There are many trucks on the road with out jake brakes!

If a driver executes braking and down shifting and is in the proper gear to proceed down a hil, thet will heat up but not to extreme.

FYI: a truck should proceed down the hill in the samre gear it take to climb the hill