For an ordinary motorist, these are just curiosities. But for anyone driving a big truck, these ramps could make the difference between life and death. These dead-end ramps are runaway truck ramps.

They're called runaway truck ramps, and they're designed to prevent extremely severe accidents in the event of brake failure. But who exactly are these ramps designed to protect, and how do they work?

The risk is even greater for truck drivers, whose big rigs are both harder to stop and capable of inflicting greater damage at high speeds. That’s why many highways include runaway ramps.

In May 2024, Utah Department of Transportation officials ... would be getting a runaway truck ramp. According to UDOT's website, the ramp is expected to be completed this summer.

The Utah Highway Patrol said the semitruck experienced ... Leonhardt said the truck failed to use the runaway truck ramp and blew through a traffic light on its way into the city.

Utah Department of Public Safety A dump truck ... and Twitter asked officials if they would consider installing a runaway truck ramp after multiple crashes there. “Question: This kind of ...

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (KUTV) — A semi-truck tipped over, blocking the ramp near I-15 southbound and I-80 eastbound. The truck was carrying 40,000 pounds of tomato paste. According to Utah ...

The runaway truck ramps on the side of the interstate are likely an afterthought for most drivers, but for those behind the wheel of semitruck, like Justin Boring, they are a lifeline. "They're ...

Colorado's mountain highways hide a lifesaving secret—runaway truck ramps. Learn how 18-wheelers avoid catastrophe on ...