New York is grappling with a persistent issue of vehicles colliding with low-clearance bridges and tunnels. To address this, a law enacted last year launched a statewide enforcement campaign targeting bridge strikes. Data from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office reveals over 800 incidents in the past two years.
Assembly Bill 8582
In a decisive move, the Assembly recently voted 143-1 to advance Assembly Bill 8582, proposed by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam. The legislation seeks to mitigate this issue by requiring GPS systems to display the heights of bridges, tunnels, and underpasses on planned routes. The bill now awaits Senate approval.
“The primary objective is to mitigate the rising number of bridge strikes in New York due to ineffective warnings from GPS systems,” notes the bill memo.
Santabarbara pointed out that the surge in traffic directed by GPS systems has contributed to the increase in bridge collisions. Despite the presence of warning signs, many drivers, especially those new to the area, continue to hit low-clearance bridges.
“This bill will help drivers see these dangers on their GPS, keeping everyone safer on the road,” Santabarbara stated. “Warning signs alone aren’t enough, so putting these alerts right where drivers are already looking will make a big difference.”
The proposed law mandates that GPS navigation and digital maps show the legal clearance heights for bridges and overpasses on planned routes. This includes displaying height information on routes and alerting drivers about their duty to follow vehicle height and weight restrictions as well as other traffic regulations.
2023 Law
A year prior, Gov. Hochul signed legislation requiring the New York State Department of Transportation to compile and publish bridge strike data. The law also tasks the department with identifying preventive measures against vehicle collisions with low-clearance bridges.
The bill’s sponsor highlighted that truck drivers are often unaware of these height restrictions until it is too late, leading to collisions. In November, the state conducted a week-long campaign to raise awareness about the issue.
North Grand Island Bridges
Earlier this year, the governor announced the completion of a $1.9 million initiative aimed at reducing bridge strikes at the North Grand Island Bridges in Niagara Falls. The project incorporates electronic over-height detection systems on three approaches: Niagara Scenic Parkway, LaSalle Expressway, and Interstate 190.
Over the past decade, vehicles have struck the eastbound and westbound bridges 28 times.
“Bridge strikes create dangerous situations, and it’s imperative that we do all we can to prevent them,” Hochul stated.
Source: Land line
