The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has initiated a new campaign to reduce incidents of vehicles striking low bridges. The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign aims to remind drivers to be aware of their vehicle’s height and ensure it can safely pass under bridges.
In the past decade, more than 600 bridge strikes have occurred in Pennsylvania, causing damage to infrastructure and vehicles, as well as traffic delays. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Pennsylvania has made tremendous progress on improving our bridges, and through Governor Shapiro’s budget investments we can advance even more repairs. Each of these bridge strikes take funding away from other projects and often involve resources from our emergency response partners.”
Drivers are urged not to rely solely on navigation apps for route guidance but instead check their vehicle’s height against posted bridge clearance signs. Vehicles taller than 13’6″ require a Special Hauling Permit in Pennsylvania, and all bridges with clearances under 14’6″ are marked with warnings.
The campaign targets both commercial and non-commercial drivers operating large vehicles such as trucks and RVs. It highlights the importance of lowering truck beds and checking equipment heights. For instance, moving trucks can range from 11’ to 13’6″ in height.
To assist drivers further, PennDOT offers tools like the 511PA service that provides information on low-clearance bridges. The service is accessible via a website, mobile app, or by calling 5-1-1.
This initiative is part of a broader effort supported by The Eastern Transportation Coalition, which includes states working together to enhance travel safety and efficiency. More information about the campaign can be found on PennDOT’s website.
Information from this article can be found here.
