BEAVER TOWNSHIP Trucks are too noisy, resident says

Trustees are looking into enacting a law to prohibit engine braking.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- Randy Burkey could use a good night's sleep.
Because he gets up early for work most days, most evenings the Beaver Township man is sound asleep by 9. That is, until he hears engine brakes rumbling outside his window.
"They wake me up," he explained. "Not every night, but a lot of nights. I just wish someone could do something. I don't really think it has to be this way."
Burkey lives near state Route 165 and Woodworth Avenue, a three-way stop. The area sees a lot of tractor-trailer traffic.
At a recent Beaver Township trustees' meeting, Burkey told township officials he thinks many truck drivers overuse their engine brakes, or air compression brakes, and apply them when it's not necessary, especially when traveling Route 165 from New Springfield into the township.
He asked the township to look into the problem and to explore what can be done about it.
Police Chief Carl Frost said he plans to ask the Mahoning County prosecutor's office whether the township can enact an ordinance to regulate the use of engine brakes by truck drivers.
Trustees said, if possible, they would take action to put appropriate regulations in place.
He's experienced
Burkey, an experienced truck driver, said he can understand using engine brakes when they're necessary.
"But I think some drivers just need to slow down, pay attention to the road they're driving and take it easy," he said. "They're making a lot of noise for no reason. It's noisy and disturbing to the people who live around there and not real safe."
Earlier this month, trustees said they would consider this issue more thoroughly after the prosecutor's office responds to the township's inquiry.