Multiple states join vehicle height awareness campaign to stop bridge strikes

A “Check Your Height and Know It’s Right” campaign to curb bridge strikes is currently underway in multiple states.

From Monday, July 27, through Friday, July 31, state transportation agencies across the U.S. are taking part in a public awareness campaign to help drivers avoid striking low bridges with their vehicles or oversize loads.

The effort is spearheaded by the Eastern Transportation Coalition (TETC), a transportation safety group made up of 19 states and Washington, D.C.

The campaign targets all classes of drivers operating commercial trucks, leased trucks (such as delivery and moving box-type trucks), recreational and construction vehicles, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

Officials will “encourage operators of commercial trucks, rental vans, RVs, and other large vehicles to double-check their clearance to safely travel under bridges that extend over state and local roads.”

“These types of incidents take away resources from other infrastructure projects, and many times require support from our emergency response partners,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “Drivers must know the height of their vehicle or load and pay close attention to bridge clearance signage. They cannot rely only on navigation systems or apps.”

“Checking your vehicle height will help keep everyone on our roads safer,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “Whether you’re a parent driving a moving truck for your kid’s college move-in day, a long-haul trucker, RV adventurer, or hauling a horse trailer to one of Kentucky’s famous racetracks – taking a couple extra minutes to know your vehicle’s clearance can prevent serious damage.”

See below for tips from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to help stop bridge strikes.

• Measure vehicle from the ground to its highest point, check door decal or owner’s manual for max height before traveling
• Heed height warning signs before bridges and overpasses – anything with less than 14.5 ft vertical clearance is posted
• If hauling equipment or livestock, check trailer and load height, including roof-mounted A/C units
• Don’t rely on consumer GPS apps unless it is specific for commercial vehicles
• Ensure dump truck beds are lowered, or tall equipment is stowed properly before entering the highway

The Eastern Transportation Coalition is made up of the following State/District Departments of Transportation:

• Alabama DOT
• Connecticut DOT
• Delaware DOT
• DC Department of Transportation
• Florida DOT
• Georgia DOT
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
• Maine DOT
• Maryland DOT
• Massachusetts DOT
• New Hampshire DOT
• New Jersey DOT
• New York State DOT
• North Carolina DOT
• Pennsylvania DOT
• Rhode Island DOT
• South Carolina DOT
• Tennessee DOT
• Vermont Agency of Transportation
• Virginia DOT
• West Virginia DOT