Do you know What To Do If Your Truck Brakes Fail While Descending a Steep Hill?
Facing brake failure while going downhill with a fully loaded truck is every trucker’s worst nightmare.
And with the condition of some trucks out on South African roads, it’s a scenario we should all be mentally prepped for — because when it happens, it happens fast.
In this guide, I’m sharing vital tips to help you stay in control if you ever face this terrifying situation. The goal? Stay alive. Keep others safe.
We’ve seen how deadly brake failures can be — just think back to the tragic M13 Fields Hill crash. Don’t wait to be a headline. Know what to do before it happens.
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Sounds like a cliché, but it’s your first lifeline. Don’t panic — it only makes things worse.
When you feel your brakes giving in, take a breath and lean on your training. You’ve likely picked up a few tricks over the years — now’s the time to use them.
2. Signal and Steer
Turn on your hazards. Blast the hooter. Let everyone around you know you’ve lost control.
Keep your hands firm on the wheel and steer steadily. Avoid any sudden moves that might send the truck into a skid or jackknife.
Read: Brake failure rarely caused by mechanical fault – here’s why it’s usually driver negligence
3. Use Engine Braking
Got an exhaust brake or retarder? Use it.
Downshift through the gears to let the engine slow you down. If you’re in auto, switch to manual if possible — more control equals more survival time.
4. Pump the Brakes (If They’re Still Responsive)
If there’s any pressure left, try gently pumping the pedal to build it back up.
No joy? Don’t waste time — move on to the next option.
5. Use the Handbrake Cautiously
Only as a last resort.
Pull it gradually — you don’t want to lock the wheels and lose your trailer. Use it too aggressively, and you’re asking for a spin-out.
6. Look for an Escape Route
Always be scanning for one, especially in mountainous or metro areas.
Arrestor beds, gravel shoulders, runaway lanes — aim for anything that’ll help you scrub off speed. In urban areas, steer clear of traffic lanes and look for open ground like parks or empty lots.
7. Prepare for a Controlled Impact
If impact is unavoidable, aim for the softest, safest target: bushes, embankments, open fields.
Do whatever it takes to avoid hitting people or other vehicles.
8. Controlled Crash – The Last Option
If it’s all gone pear-shaped and you’ve got no other way out, steer into a controlled crash.
Better to wreck the truck into a bush than plough through a busy intersection. It’s a hard call, but it can save lives.
Your experience and training could be the difference between walking away or not. Stay sharp, stay calm, and never take your rig’s health for granted.
Check your brakes often. Know your escape routes. And always have a plan.
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