§ 14-560. Brakes.

(a)

Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a street shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels.

(b)

Every motorcycle or bicycle with motor attached, when operated upon a street, shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.

(c)

Every trailer or semi-trailer of a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more when operated upon a street shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold such vehicle and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab, and the said brakes shall be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied.

(d)

Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer, hereafter operated upon a street shall be equipped with brakes upon all wheels, except any motorcycle, and except any semi-trailer of less than 1,500 pounds gross weight not originally equipped with brakes; provided, however, that any motor vehicle and truck-tractor having three or more axles need not have brakes on the front wheels, except when such vehicles are equipped with at least two steerable axles, the wheels of one such axle need not be equipped with brakes.

(Code 1993, § 13-10.10)