New York Expands Bridge Strike Awareness Campaign Following More Than 300 Incidents in 2025

New York has expanded its "Check Your Height, Know It's Right!" campaign after 310 bridge strikes were reported in 2025, combining public awareness with targeted enforcement for commercial vehicles.

New York is expanding its statewide effort to reduce bridge strikes after hundreds of overheight vehicle crashes were reported last year, many involving commercial trucks.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a coordinated education and enforcement campaign designed to remind commercial drivers to verify their vehicle height, follow posted clearance signs, and use commercial navigation tools before traveling. The initiative comes after the New York State Department of Transportation recorded 310 bridge strikes in 2025.

More Than 300 Bridge Strikes Reported Last Year

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, most bridge strikes involved commercial vehicles, or large trucks, whose drivers either did not know their vehicle’s height or failed to follow warning signs before approaching a low-clearance structure.

Beyond damaging bridges and vehicles, these crashes can disrupt traffic, delay freight movement, and require costly repairs to transportation infrastructure.

Awareness Campaign Continues to Grow

The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right!” campaign launched in November 2023 as a public awareness initiative focused on preventing bridge strikes before they happen.

Since then, New York has partnered with The Eastern Transportation Coalition and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials to expand the campaign nationally. What began with participation from 16 states has grown to include 26 states and Washington, D.C.

This year’s awareness campaign runs from July 27 through July 31 and focuses on educating drivers about the importance of knowing their vehicle height before starting a trip.

Enforcement Remains Part of the Initiative

Education is being paired with increased enforcement throughout the campaign.

New York State Police are conducting targeted patrols in areas where bridge strikes have occurred, while electronic message boards across the state are displaying reminders encouraging drivers to check their vehicle height before traveling.

The state also strengthened penalties earlier this year by implementing an eight-point traffic violation for drivers who strike a bridge.

Commercial GPS Can Help Prevent Bridge Strikes

State officials continue encouraging commercial drivers to rely on truck-specific navigation instead of consumer GPS applications.

Unlike standard navigation apps, commercial routing systems account for low-clearance bridges, weight restrictions, and roadways where commercial vehicles are prohibited. Drivers can also use the Trucker Mode feature available through the 511NY website to identify restricted routes and verify their trip before leaving.

Officials also reminded drivers operating rented box trucks to pay close attention to vehicle height, noting that many bridge strikes involve drivers who are unfamiliar with the dimensions of larger vehicles.

The Trucking Association of New York said proper route planning, knowing a vehicle’s height, and using commercial-grade navigation tools remain some of the most effective ways to prevent bridge strikes and protect both drivers and critical transportation infrastructure.