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A Semi With Brake Failure Has to Use a Runaway Ramp

If you’ve ever driven in the mountains you’ve seen those runaway truck ramps every few miles.  They’re made of sand or gravel and they help a truck slow down and…

DOVER, ENGLAND – APRIL 04: Lorries arrive at Dover Ferry Terminal on April 4, 2019 in Dover, England. It has been reported the Theresa May has written to the EU asking for an extension to leaving the EU until June 30, 2019. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

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If you've ever driven in the mountains you've seen those runaway truck ramps every few miles.  They're made of sand or gravel and they help a truck slow down and stop in case of brake failure.  Here's one in action. 

A semi on a highway in Colorado has smoke coming out of its wheels.  It drives up one of those ramps, and you realize how important they are because of how long it takes for the truck to stop.