West Virginia, Kentucky Join Campaign to Prevent Bridge Strikes

The West Virginia Department of Transportation is joining transportation agencies across 19 states and Washington, D.C., in a public safety campaign aimed at preventing bridge strikes caused by over-height vehicles.

Running through the end of this week, the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign encourages all drivers—especially commercial operators, RV users and those driving rented box trucks—to know their vehicle height and heed posted clearance signs.

Bridge hits can cause significant vehicle and infrastructure damage, lead to extended traffic delays and create hazards for the public and emergency responders.

Crash reports show many drivers rely solely on navigation apps, overlooking posted signage and physical height warnings. For example, standard moving trucks may exceed 13 feet in height, surpassing the clearance of many older overpasses.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is also participating, emphasizing its 180 posted low-clearance bridges statewide. One of the most well-known—dubbed “The Louisville Can Opener”—has become a cautionary symbol of bridge strikes, drawing attention on social media, according to a report from Kentucky Today.

“Knowing your vehicle’s height is just as important as wearing a seat belt or avoiding distractions,” said Jim Gray, Kentucky Transportation Secretary, in a statement.

The campaign is supported by The Eastern Transportation Coalition, a multi-state partnership working to improve transportation safety and coordination across the eastern U.S.

Source: West Virginia Department of Transportation, KentuckyToday.com