Runaway Rig Hits 9 Vehicles; Tejon Pass, Ca.

I absolutely agree. More often that not, I drive with the jake armed, and use the throttle to defeat it when necessary. Coming down anything more than a 5% grade at 40k GVW or more is stupid if you haven't geared down and are running against the jake. Air brakes fail, and you're betting your life that they don't. Nothing like "deadman's curve" at the bottom of the Mt. Vernon Canyon on I70 just west of Denver... you don't want to be fast and heavy with hot brakes when you get there. The grade is long, gets steep at the bottom, and is deceptive. And then there's the curve. It's a combination that'll kill you if you take this business too lightly.

 

Amen again Brother. I teach my students it is better to start in to low of a gear then trying to grab one half way down. If I can pass good info on to future drivers then it's worth it to me.

 

I drive like a turtle down the mountains..... You can always make up the time later as long as your alive to do so.

 

There is not any thought necessary on NB I5, On top they first slow you down to 45 at the old brake check, and right at the tejon exit the speed limit drops to 35. You hear all the time about this hill is nothing,the speed limit is stupid, all the time. You always have drivers out an extra lane passing coming off this hill. To bad this kind of crash happens, it is sinceless, and certainly avoidable.If you come off tis hill max'ed out without jakes, your brakes will be smokin real heavy,and that would be rolling over the top at 35 to start with.