Rollover accident I-81 South PA/MD border

wny_pat wrote:

kab449 wrote:
The local ABC affiliate posted this on Facebook. Immediately the discussion turned ugly. Many people commenting that drivers of "rigs" this large with air brakes should have CDL licenses. Lots of comments to change the license law as it pertains to RV's. Of course none of the experts knew exactly what caused the accident.

Going by the approximate GVWR, 35,320 lb, and the fact that it was licensed in NYS, the NYS driver should have held a NYS class D with RV endorsement for over 26,000 lbs. NYS does not require a air brake endorsment, and I do not see where it would have made any difference in this accident other that air brakes may have been to effective under these conditions. But then a Jake brake could have gotten them into the accident also. Pennsylvania has the very same requirement for a non-commercial Class A or B license above 26,000 lb GVWR or GCWR.

When I took my road test for my NYS "R" endorsement, the examiner as I recall, mentioned that the only other states that require the "R" endorsement were Connecticut and, I believe he said Kansas, while some others may have some special requirements, but not many.

I asked if I in fact could get the Air Brake Endorsement added to my License. NYS DMV told me that it was only required for CDL License holders. I told them I would have no problem with the fee and taking the test so I could at least get the endorsement on my license, but they wouldn't even bother allow me to take the test. (It's only a written test here.) I may go back and try again sometime. You know how the DMV can be - depending on the day and whom you speak too, the rules can sometime change 180 degrees! :W