PennDOT Launches Campaign to Prevent Bridge Hits
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has launched a new public awareness campaign aimed at helping drivers avoid hitting low bridges with vehicles.
The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign, announced as part of a multistate collaboration, encourages motorists to know their vehicle height and check that the vehicle will safely fit under bridges on their route.
Vehicle strikes to the tops or sides of bridges, commonly known as bridge hits, damage vehicles and infrastructure, cause traffic delays, and put the public and emergency responders at risk.
According to PennDOT data, in the 10 years between 2013 and 2023, there were more than 600 strikes to bridges or other overhead structures in the state.
Bridge hits are costly due to vehicle & infrastructure damage & risk to the public/first responders. to avoid them!
Confirm your personal/rented vehicle will fit under bridges & always comply w/posted bridge heights!
More: . — PA Department of Transportation (@PennDOTNews)
In Pennsylvania, vehicles and loads taller than 13 feet, 6 inches must apply for a Special Hauling Permit. All bridges with a vertical clearance less than 14 feet, 6 inches are signed with low-clearance warnings, both at the bridge and in advance of the structure. Drivers should always watch for and adhere to signage indicating bridge heights and not rely solely on navigation devices which do not consider vehicle height when giving route guidance.
The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign will involve public and industry outreach targeting commercial driver license holders and non-commercial drivers operating commercial trucks, leased trucks (such as delivery and moving box-type trucks), and recreational vehicles. Crash data shows that drivers may not always consider vehicle height and related restrictions during operation. For example, a typical 26-foot moving/delivery truck may have a height ranging from 11 feet to 13 feet, 6 inches. The campaign also reminds drivers to lower truck beds and check the height of equipment they’re hauling.
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Drivers are responsible for knowing the height of their vehicle — whether a personal vehicle or a rented one — and observing and complying with posted bridge heights.
Where possible, PennDOT and other bridge owners increase the vertical clearance under bridges during rehabilitation and reconstruction projects to reduce the chances of strikes. Over the past 10 years, more than 160 bridges with 16 feet, 5 inches or less of vertical clearance were raised by at least 3 inches during replacement.
