It's not only noisy and irresponsible and discourteous, but it's frequently illegal (dba noise levels above 90 are against federal, state and local laws). All it would take is a couple signs reminding truckers to shut off the engine brakes in residential areas.

This would be a good platform item to add to our next mayor's campaign! We've talked a lot about moving tractor trailer traffic away from downtown, but nothing has been done about it.

I live on Church Street and the jake brake noises are a totally unacceptable addition to an already busy traffic area. Unfortunately, just like Harley riders with straight pipe exhausts, some of these truckers probably enjoy the sounds their truck makes through town and will need to be "encouraged" to stop making them.

How about we get together most of the residents of Church, Van Dam and Washington Streets and create a petition to force the city to come up with a workable solution for the noise? I'll be happy to word it and cite the federal (and therefore state, local) rules and can recommend an inexpensive noise meter (the city, by the way, doesn't have one!).

I completely agree! This street has become way too busy and noisy. There need to be rules enforced regarding noise pollution but there should also be a traffic pattern established through town. Washington St. is just too narrow to be a major route for tractor trailers!

I AGREE, THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING WITH IN CITY LIMITS (30 MPH) ZONES TRUCKS ARE USING THESE JAKE BRAKES
CAUSING MY HOME TO VIBRATE...
I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT PERHAPS THESE JAKE BRAKES NEED NOT BE USED IF TRUCK SPEEDING IN EXCESS OF 60-70 MPH DURING THE NIGHT WAS MONITORED BY POLICE...

PLEASE STOP THE SPEEDING AND NOISY TRUCKS IN CITY LIMITS!!!

Increased use of Jake Brakes is part of the new economy. The Jake accomplishes much of the braking without the wear on the brake shoes/drums. With the cost of trucking in general and the high cost of repairs some drivers are just tryiing to save money. It doesn't help the noise issue, but maybe makes it more understandable.

Speeding is a money waster as well, but again time is money. No excuse but are the trucks really speeding? Large vehicles are perceived to be going faster when they probably are not.
Some speed enforcement will take care of that problem if it truely does exist. Word of enforcement action will spread quckly amongst the truck drivers.

Washington Av is definately not a good truck route. I don't even like it in my pick-up truck, let alone with a big rig.

Al's comment regarding the justification for the use of Jake brakes is sincere, no doubt, but without merit in this situation. Engine brakes can only exert the maximum torque of the engine against the truck's momentum. At low (25-30 mph) speeds the effects are minimal and any reduction in wear of the brake shoes would be very difficult to measure. It also fails to address the fact that a significant percentage of the brakes create noise in excess of federal/state levels, every bit as illegal as speeding or safety equipment infractions. This is not about money, it's about failure to exercise common courtesy and obey the law.

The city is still ignoring this issue. They are using Jake brakes 24/7 on Rte. 9N past West Ave. and it's really annoying, especially in the middle of the night.

yes, and on Route 50....also..
if we live in the city of saratoga springs....
speed limit should be 30 mph 24/7
if this isn't truck braking and speeding doesn't stop
soon I AM SELLING AND MOVING TO ANOTHER
CITY where the law is enforced and not just posted.
please this is getting ridiculous!!!!

Hello all,

Thanks for your comments..... I spoke to the saratoga PD sergeant this morning after a very noise night on Washington street last week. He is aware of the problem and they have been citing the trucks (apparently the main officer was off last night). This sergeant is also in favor of a city ordinance to restrict the use of Jake breaks and suggested that we take our issue to the next public forum with the city council. In the mean time he also suggested that we call the office of public safety and lodge complaints. Which you can due by email at: http://www.saratoga-springs.org/index.php?option=com_smartformer&Itemid=136 or by phone at 518-587-3550. Since it is an election year we may have more traction with commission Wirth, so please call and complain to his office.

Saratoga Springs could cure a great many of its ills with a few well-placed signs in strategic locations bearing the following simple message. ::: Parkway ::: Cars ONLY ::: NO Trucks :::
Open a 24/7/365 Weight Station run by qualified Saratogian's and do not issue warnings. Levy fines for overweight trailers and DOT violations. Ban 18-wheelers from city streets.
Implement a Depot-system. Only let Delivery Vans and "Straight-jobs" deliver goods into town.
The effect will curtail trucks not bearing freight and merchandise to The Spa from even coming close.
Create jobs, clean the environment of noise and pollution, and act like the cosmopolitan city you are.

you dont need a jake brake for 30 mph or less....its common courtesy to shut it off when you enter city limits. 9n north past west ave? sorry its on.
living in this city (and driving a truck for a living) i am in total disbelief that we let broadway be used as a through truck route. to see 70 feet of truck come down broadway on a saturday night and make the right by starbucks to take 29 out of the city is disgusting. these trucks are most likely coming from the north, taking exit 15 then running west instead of using 87 south to 90 west.
thats fine, but lets make a truck route like every other city has. they need to run 50 to van dam to west to 29 west. not broadway. keep through trucks off city streets.
as far as banning 18 wheelers from city streets? not going to happen. all the major food/supply distributors use tandem vehicles to deliver goods. restricting the city to vans and straight trucks will not happen.

Hey Jabroni, I live right off of Rte 9N past West Ave. and I don't want the Jake Brakes either. They should not be allowed within city limits and the city limits go up to at least Locust Grove Road. Now they also need to re-work where tractor trailers are allowed to travel since they don't belong on Broadway or in certain residential areas. Only small delivery trucks should be allowed on city streets. No bigger than a 4 axle Pepsi or Coca-Cola delivery truck.