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Brake Failure & Runaway Ramps

At what point should a driver whose brakes are overheating and fading on a grade decide to use the runaway ramp?

  • A.Only after the service brakes have failed entirely and speed is at its peak
  • B.Before speed builds beyond control, while the truck can still be steered into the ramp entry
  • C.After passing the ramp to see if the road levels out
  • D.Never, because using a ramp counts against the driver
Correct answer

B. Before speed builds beyond control, while the truck can still be steered into the ramp entry

Why

A ramp used early, at a manageable speed, is a controlled stop with gravel damage at worst. Waiting until the truck is running away at full speed turns the same ramp into a crash, so the decision belongs at the first clear signs of fade.

Manual topic: Runaway Ramps - When to Use · From the General Knowledge practice bank (GK-239).

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