Across the country, drivers often rely on GPS mapping tools that do not acknowledge the height of non-passenger vehicles (i.e., overheight commercial vehicles, leased/rental/delivery box trucks) and therefore do not alert drivers of potential low bridge clearances. Bridge strikes damage vehicles and infrastructure, cause delays, puts drivers of such vehicles and other motorists at risk, as well as, law enforcement, first responders, and DOT maintenance staff and others when responding to the scene.
To address this critical safety issue, the Eastern Transportation Coalition, working with its TETC Bridge Strike Mitigation Task Force Working Group developed this Bridge Strike Media and Strategy Toolkit to assist agencies in educating drivers on this issue, as well as to share strategies that transportation agencies have employed to mitigate bridge strikes. A key component of the toolkit is materials that assists agencies in launching a media campaign around Bridge Strike Awareness, using the suggested tagline: “Check your Height, Know It’s Right.”
The media campaign message encourages individuals to check the height of their vehicle prior to driving under bridges, specifically in areas they may be unfamiliar with. The messaging also emphasizes the importance for all drivers to not rely on GPS/Navigation systems, and to be highly cognizant of signage, noting bridge heights. The media campaign portion of the toolkit features customizable brochures, rack cards, graphics, videos, and instructions for how to properly use these elements.
From July 27-31 2026, the Coalition agencies along with a number of agencies across the nation as well as related industry stakeholder will conduct a Bridge Strike Mitigation Media Campaign to educate and remind drivers to “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” prior to operating vehicles and always adhere to traffic signage over their GPS/navigation device.
The Bridge Strike Mitigation Toolkit provide agencies with a package of customizable materials including social media graphics, brochures/rack cards, and videos, and strategies to promoting “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right”. In the 2026 campaign, TETC has included bridge hit awareness for RVs, farm equipment, construction vehicles, and more.
For access or more information to the Bridge Strike Media and Strategy Toolkit, contact Sabrina Causley @[email protected]
GDOT Ahead of the Curve Podcast: Bridge Strike Awareness
A resource to assist agencies in preventing and mitigating bridge and tunnel strikes is NCHRP Report 1132 “Bridge and Tunnel Strikes: A Guide for Prevention and Mitigation”
An additional training resource for industry to educate drivers to avoid bridge strikes is NCHRP Project 08-139, “Guide for Preventing and Mitigating the Risk of Bridge and Tunnel Strikes by Motor Vehicles”
