Interpretation ID: aiam2684
House of Representatives
Washington
DC 20515;
Dear Mr. Neal: I have been asked to respond to your October 19, 1977, letter to th Department of Transportation in behalf of a constituent who asks whether the operator of a vehicle manufactured to comply with Standard No. 121, *Air Brake Systems*, may legally disconnect portions of the brake system.; Section 108(a)(2)(A) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safet Act (15 U.S.C. S 1397(a)(2)(A)) prohibits, with one exception, knowing disconnection of safety systems by manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or repair businesses. A person that does not fall into these categories is not prohibited from disconnection of a safety system. However, the NHTSA urges that no one disconnect safety systems without consulting the vehicle manufacturer with regard to the safest configuration of the vehicle.; Sincerely, Joseph J. Levin, Jr., Chief Counsel