Break away device legal requirements?
What are the legal requirements for a break away device on a dinghy? If it is required in some states, where can I find this info and what states require such a device? Thanks-- Mick
Forum Discussion
Y-Guy wrote:
Keeping in mind that most any site that is selling something like trailer braking equipment is posting it to encourage you to buy something. However, this one does show the weights by state for brakes and which ones have break-away requirements too.
State Towing Laws
That site shows TRAILER braking laws. I can only speak for sure about Montana. While TRAILER brakes are required, and a breakaway device is required, State Law does not define a towed motor vehicle as a TRAILER!
In my research, the ONLY State Law that would require brakes on a towed motor vehicle is the Braking Performance Law (MCA 61-9-312) which requires that ANY "combination of vehicles" must be able to stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a level, clean, dry, hard, surface. Many other states have the same, or similar, performance laws, as does the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Equipment laws are not reciprocal! Reciprocity Agreements between states normally only cover insurance requirements, registration requirements, and driver licensing. However, that does NOT mean that I can take my ATVs, which are street legal and licensed for road use, to any state which does not allow road use of ATVs and ride them on the street!
I have found ONE state which seems to require a braking system on towed motor vehicles; North Carolina, GS 20-124. Look at subsection f.
