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Georgia DOT Announces Bridge Strike Awareness Campaign: 'Check Your Height, Know It's Right'
Launched in partnership with member states of The Eastern Transportation Coalition (TETC), the campaign runs from July 27 - 31, 2026
ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced today it is joining a public awareness campaign aimed at helping drivers avoid striking bridges with vehicles. The "Check Your Height, Know It's Right" campaign encourages motorists to check that their vehicle is not too tall to safely fit under bridges that extend over state and local roadways. These overhead collisions, commonly known as bridge strikes, damages vehicles and infrastructure, hinder mobility and put the public and emergency responders at risk.
Such was the case on July 15, 2021 when a dump truck with an improperly raised bed struck the State Route (SR) 86 overpass in Treutlen County on I-16. The impact shifted the bridge nearly six feet and caused irreparable damage, requiring the bridge to be demolished and the interstate to be closed in both directions. All lanes of I-16 were reopened to traffic by the evening of July 16, 2021, but the replacement of the SR 86 overpass cost approximately $4 million and took more than a year to complete, highlighting the significant cost and impact bridge strikes can have on the traveling public.
"Avoiding bridge strikes is a shared responsibility. Drivers must know the height of their vehicles and remain alert for posted bridge heights," said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. "At the same time, the department has a responsibility to ensure bridge-height signage is visible, clear and easily identifiable. By working together, we can help prevent bridge strikes and eliminate the significant costs, traffic disruptions and safety risks they create for the public, first responders and our employees."
The "Check Your Height, Know It's Right" campaign urges motorists to know the height of their vehicle and to comply with posted bridge heights, targeting all classes of drivers (CDL and passenger class drivers) operating commercial trucks or leased trucks (delivery and moving box-type), and recreational vehicles. Motorists are responsible for knowing the height of their vehicle and should always watch for and adhere to signage indicating bridge heights. They should not rely on navigation devices or apps because bridge heights are not displayed on them.
Georgia DOT, along with other state agencies, is adopting the "Check Your Height, Know It's Right" campaign with the support of The Eastern Transportation Coalition- a partnership of 19 states and the District of Columbia focused on connecting public agencies across modes of travel to increase safety and efficiency.
For more information on the "Check Your Height, Know It's Right" campaign and Georgia DOT's efforts to prevent bridge strikes, visit the department's bridge program webpage, listen to the most recent episode of the department's podcast, Ahead of the Curve, titled "Bridge Strike Awareness" and read the department's blog, "Georgia DOT Urges Motorists to 'Check Your Height, Know It's Right."
Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia's state and federal highways. We're involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department's vision is to boost Georgia's competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
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