Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. are staging an effort this week to alert drivers to the problem of vehicles striking bridges.
The public awareness campaign by the Eastern Transportation Coalition is aimed at helping drivers avoid striking low-clearance bridges, from Tuesday, July 22, 2025, through Saturday, July 26.
The campaign, titled, “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right,” urges drivers to make sure their vehicle is not too tall to pass safely beneath overpasses on state and local roadways.
Collisions with low-clearance structures can damage vehicles and infrastructure, cause major traffic delays and pose risks to the public and emergency responders.
The coalition said drivers are responsible for knowing the height of their vehicles and for complying with posted bridge clearance signs. Relying solely on navigation apps without checking physical signage can result in costly and dangerous crashes.
The campaign’s warnings will be shared across social media channels and features graphics, with safety reminders.
The effort targets all types of drivers, including commercial driver’s license holders, as well as those driving leased or rented box trucks – such as delivery vans and moving trucks – and recreational vehicles.
Crash data show drivers don’t always consider vehicle height when planning routes. For instance, a standard 26-foot moving truck may range from 11 to 13 feet, 6 inches in height, which can exceed the clearance of many older or lower bridges.
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
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