By Dan McCue
Staff Writer

After-market brake systems known as “Jake Brakes” and approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation might provide faster, steadier and more efficient braking performance for cargo-carrying truckers, but the sound of the compression release devices has elicited noise complaints from residents living near the Wando Welch terminal in Mount Pleasant.

But rather than touching off an extended conflict between truckers and the neighborhoods, the situation has been largely defused by the non-confrontational approach of Mount Pleasant Chief of Police Harry Sewell, according to members of the area’s trucking association.

After fielding a number of complaints from residents living near major roadways leaving the Wando Welch terminal, Sewell wrote a letter to the Charleston Motor Carrier Association president asking for help providing a little peace for neighborhood residents.

“The Town of Mount Pleasant is in full support of any approved braking system that improved safety,” Sewell said.

The problem was, noise from trucks appeared to be becoming a quality-of-life issue. After a little investigation, Sewell determined that it wasn’t just the sound of the compression of the legitimate DOT brakes, but that some truckers might be using modified or defective exhaust systems, which are illegal.

“I certainly didn’t want to accuse the motor carrier association of allowing its members to operate rigs with defective or modified exhaust systems; to me it seemed the best approach was to ask the carriers, through the association, to inspect their own trucks and ensure their exhaust (systems) were legal and up to DOT standards.”

If the trucking firms themselves could get a handle on the air brake and exhaust system issues, there would be no need for equipment vehicle enforcement.

In a subsequent conversation with Patrick Barber, president of the motor carriers association, Sewell again asserted that he didn’t want to crack down on the trucking industry, only to ensure that all safety equipment and exhaust system were properly installed and legal.

“I was really struck by how tactful Chief Sewell was,” Barber said after issuing a request through the association’s listserv that drivers be more mindful of their use of brakes and to check their equipment before driving through the streets of Mount Pleasant.

Barber said he was particularly struck how Sewell expressed his support for the local trucking industry and seemed to appreciate its impact on the local economy.

“I think our truckers really appreciated that approach and, as a result, I think he’ll get the results he’s looking for,” Barber said.

Barber himself put a notice of the complaints in the association’s monthly newsletter, sent a message out over his satellite communication system at Superior Transportation, and also put a note in each of his own driver’s paychecks.

“A lot of the time, when people take an in-your-face approach to solving problems, it creates more hard feelings than it prevents. In this case, immediately jumping into the enforcement mode would have meant additional training of the chief’s officers in motor carrier regulations, which would have been costly and time consuming,” Barber said.

“I’ve spoken to several other motor carriers, and they’re also posting signs and taking other steps to ensure the residents of Mount Pleasant have a restored sense of peace and quiet.”

Dan McCue is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail him at dmccue@setcommedia.com.

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