Trucking Laws · Arizona · November 4, 2026

Arizona Troopers Remind Motorists That the Runaway Ramps Truckers Rely On Are for Brake Failures, Not Pullouts, After an SUV Got Stuck Near Kingman

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Highway Patrol is reminding motorists that truck runaway ramps are for emergencies only, after an SUV became stuck in one near Kingman. CDL Life reported on Nov. 3, 2026, that the trooper's call came on Oct. 29, and ATruckDrivers carried the same story.

What happened

According to CDL Life, a trooper responded to the Kingman area on Oct. 29 to help "a vehicle that became stuck in a runaway truck ramp." AZDPS shared images of a black SUV stuck in the gravel arrestor bed, which is designed to slow and then stop runaway vehicles through friction. The sources do not say which ramp it was, whether anyone was hurt, or whether the SUV's driver was cited.

What AZDPS said

The agency said: "These ramps are designed to save lives by providing a last-resort stopping option for heavy commercial vehicles experiencing brake failure or loss of speed control on steep grades. Using a runaway truck ramp for any non-emergency purpose can create serious safety risks for everyone on the roadway. They are not pullouts, scenic overlooks, rest stops, or exit ramps."

AZDPS added: "Read the warning signs and stay off the ramp unless it's a true brake-failure emergency. It could cost you more than a tow removal bill. It could cost lives. Runaway truck ramps are for emergencies, not convenience."

How the ramps work

AZDPS says the gravel arrestor bed is designed to slow and then stop runaway vehicles through friction. For a closer look at how ramps are built and maintained in another state, see Big Rig Daily's report on Wyoming's runaway truck ramps. That story covers Wyoming, not Arizona.

What truckers can take from this

Mountain routes are a regular part of the job for many truckers. Checking brakes before a long downgrade is a routine step in a full walk-around, and Big Rig Daily's pre-trip inspection checklist covers the air system and brakes. This is a general reminder and not something AZDPS said.

Quick facts

• Where: runaway truck ramp in the Kingman area, Arizona.
• When: Oct. 29, 2026.
• What: a black SUV became stuck in the gravel arrestor bed.
• Agency message: ramps are for brake failure or loss of speed control, not convenience.
• Not stated: which ramp, injuries and any citation.

FAQ

Why not just use a ramp as a pullout?

AZDPS says using a ramp for any non-emergency purpose can create serious safety risks for everyone on the roadway.

What is the gravel for?

The arrestor bed is designed to slow and then stop runaway vehicles through friction.

Was anyone hurt?

The sources do not say.

A question for readers

Mountain-pass truckers, have you ever seen a runaway ramp used for something other than an emergency?

Save this story for later

Save this to Pinterest