I see major crap headed the trucking company's way from this report. Cut ABS Wires are a bad deal, although with " ... two empty trailers... " ( emphasis mine ), the driver should have been able to stop. Probably a shade - tree mechanic who didn't know anything about ABS. Keep in mind that a disabled ABS system does NOT disable the entire brake system, just the anti - lock portion. The drivers' right foot is still the best anti - lock system I know of. The " ... nine brakes out of adjustment ..." may or may not be a big deal, depending on how far out of adjustment they were, especially with empties.( The width of a business card between the drum and shoe is enough for a write - up. ) The driver could have stopped with Fred Flintstone brakes, from that distance away, and with empties.