The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently launched a statewide public awareness campaign aimed at reducing the number of bridge strikes by commercial trucks and other tall vehicles.
“Each of these bridge strikes take funding away from other projects and often involve resources from our emergency response partners,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “If you are driving a commercial vehicle, a delivery or moving truck, or an RV, do not rely on your navigation app. Check the height of your vehicle and know it’s right.”
The campaign, entitled Check Your Height, Know It’s Right, urges drivers — especially those operating commercial vehicles, rental trucks, and RVs — to know their vehicle height and ensure it can safely clear bridges along their route, according to PennDOT.
In the last recorded 10 years, Pennsylvania saw more than 600 strikes to bridges or overhead structures caused by vehicles exceeding height restrictions, said the department, noting that such incidents damage infrastructure, put emergency responders at risk, delay traffic, and divert critical resources from other transportation projects.
The campaign includes outreach to both commercial and non-commercial drivers and highlights the risks of relying solely on navigation apps, which often do not account for vehicle height.
All bridges with clearances under 14 feet and 6 inches are marked with warning signs, and vehicles taller than 13 feet and 6 inches must obtain a Special Hauling Permit.