Efforts to Decrease Bridge Strikes by New York State

C.G. Hoffman
After a large number of oversized vehicles have hit bridges and overpasses recently, New York State Police patrols will increase their patrolling areas in areas where accidents have frequently occurred.
The State is launching a new campaign dubbed “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right,” in an effort to reverse the trend and raise awareness of bridge strikes in New York. From 2021 to 2022, there have been 808 such bridge strikes in New York State. Since the beginning of 2023, there have been 91 on the New York State Thruway alone.
"Everyone needs to be concerned about hitting a bridge," New York State Department of Transportation Assistant Commissioner Patrick Barnes said. "Whether you're driving as a commercial driver, or renting a box truck, or pulling your RV, you need to know the height of your vehicle. You can hurt yourself; you can hurt others.”
In addition to increased patrols, from now until November 11, the State is running a campaign to increase awareness. Members of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will be visiting inspection sites to spread information on bridge strikes and how they could be prevented.
Other preventive measures that are being considered are putting points on licenses for hitting bridges or for speeding in work zones.