Unity trustees want to ban the jake brake

UNITY — Unity Township trustees are continuing their efforts to curb the use of jake brakes in the community.

Tuesday, trustees passed a resolution making official the township’s goal to eliminate the use of the brake. The jake break is a device attached to the engine that slows a tractor-trailer by reversing engine valves, causing a loud noise some residents complain is annoying and disruptive.

Last month the trustees said they planned to ask the Ohio Department of Transportation to post signs along state Route 14 warning truck drivers not to use jake brakes. ODOT officials said the trustees must first adopt a resolution addressing the matter. After ODOT approves the resolution, the township can purchase the signs and ODOT can then place them along state Route 14.

The trustees previously agreed to prohibit jake brakes along state Route 14 in response to residents’ concerns about the increasing use of the device and the loud noise it generates.