Runaway truck ramp on Tennessee’s I-24 sees year of heavy use, traffic camera reveals. A compilation of footage from the notorious escape ramp in Marion shows both semi-trucks and passenger vehicles utilizing the safety feature between April 2024 and May 2025.
The steep grade along this stretch of interstate has proven challenging for many drivers, according to footage compiled by CDL Life. The collection serves as a sobering reminder for truckers and motorists about the importance of proper brake maintenance and cautious driving on mountain descents.
“We’ve filtered out the lower quality nighttime footage to focus on incidents that clearly demonstrate the ramp’s use,” noted CDL Life in their report. The most dramatic incidents occurred in May 2025, with earlier footage dating back to April of last year.
Traffic safety experts have long advocated for these emergency ramps on steep highway sections. The specially designed gravel beds gradually slow vehicles experiencing brake failure, potentially preventing catastrophic accidents.
The Marion ramp has become something of an internet sensation, with multiple videos of dramatic truck entries gaining millions of views online. Still, behind each incident lies a terrifying moment for drivers who find themselves without functioning brakes on the descent.
Department of Transportation officials regularly inspect these safety features to ensure their effectiveness. Maintenance crews must reset the gravel beds after each use, a process that can take several hours and often requires specialized equipment.
For professional drivers, especially those new to mountain routes, the footage serves as both a warning and educational tool. Industry trainers often use such examples to emphasize proper gear selection and brake management techniques when navigating steep grades.
The compilation chronologically presents incidents from newest to oldest, allowing viewers to observe patterns in usage and effectiveness over the 13-month period.