Preventing Bridge Strikes

  

Preventing Bridge Strikes Print

Bridge strikes by large trucks and buses are a serious safety hazard resulting in injury and loss of life, damage to infrastructure, interruption of commerce, and delays in travel times. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) believes bridge strikes are avoidable through better awareness of route restrictions -- by paying closer attention to road signs and by using only those electronic navigation systems intended for trucks and buses. The FMCSA wants to ensure that its State and local law enforcement partners understand that a driver may be fined for failing to comply with posted road signs, and that the citation may be recorded against a motor carrier’s Safety Measurement System scores. The Agency will continue to work with its State partners and the truck and bus industries to prevent bridge strikes. These efforts will include distributing the Agency’s new visor card “GPS Selection Guide for CMVs.” The Agency will also work with commercial driver training school associations to encourage them to include electronic navigation system selection information in their training programs. And FMCSA will consider electronic navigation system selection as it prepares to move forward with the entry-level driver training rule required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) reauthorization legislation. Questions and answers relating to bridge strikes are listed below. Search for    What tips is FMCSA providing for the safe use of GPS navigation systems? What actions will FMCSA take to address the problem of bridge strikes? What is the penalty for failing to comply with a posted route restriction along a roadway? May a commercial motor vehicle be penalized for failing to comply with a posted route restriction, such as a sign along a roadway? How often do trucks crash into bridges or have other incidents related to the use of navigation systems intended for passenger car drivers? Why is FMCSA concerned about truck and bus drivers’ use of GPS navigation systems? Why is FMCSA concerned about bridge strikes? 1. What tips is FMCSA providing for the safe use of GPS navigation systems? Select an electronic navigation system intended for use by truck and bus drivers. Before drivers begin their trip, they should type in all relevant information about their vehicles so the system can provide the appropriate route. Follow the route recommended by the navigation system, but ALWAYS obey traffic signs and advisories (such as low bridge overpasses, axle weight limits, detour signs, variable message signs, etc.). Do not engage in distracted driving! Avoid typing or entering addresses or information into the navigation system while driving. If your navigation system does not provide automatic updates of the maps, be sure to obtain updates to ensure you are following the most current route planning information. 2. What actions will FMCSA take to address the problem of bridge strikes? The FMCSA will work with its State and local partners to ensure they understand their enforcement authority against motor carriers and drivers that fail to abide by roadway signs. The FMCSA will work with its State partners and the truck and bus industries to distribute the Agency’s visor card “GPS Selection Guide for CMVs.” The Agency will also work with commercial driver training school associations to encourage them to include electronic navigation system selection information in their training programs. And FMCSA will consider electronic navigation system selection as it prepares to move forward with the entry-level driver training rule required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) reauthorization legislation. 3. What is the penalty for failing to comply with a posted route restriction along a roadway? The maximum penalty is $11,000 for a company, $2,750 for a driver. 4. May a commercial motor vehicle be penalized for failing to comply with a posted route restriction, such as a sign along a roadway? Yes. A driver may be cited for failing to operate a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with the laws, ordinances, and regulations of the jurisdiction in which it is being operated as required under 49 CFR 392.2. Further, a conviction of failing to obey a traffic control device would be counted against a motor carrier’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability score. 5. How often do trucks crash into bridges or have other incidents related to the use of navigation systems intended for passenger car drivers? FMCSA's information systems do not have crash statistics associated with the use of electronic navigation systems. However, even one truck or bus striking an overpass is one too many, which is why the Agency is taking action to ensure professional truck and bus drivers know the importance of selecting the right navigation system. 6. Why is FMCSA concerned about truck and bus drivers’ use of GPS navigation systems? FMCSA believes the information concerning commercial vehicles crashing into bridges suggests that some drivers may have used electronic navigation systems intended for passenger car drivers rather than truck and bus drivers. The Agency is working with its State partners and industry to make sure professional truck and bus drivers recognize the importance of using navigation systems intended for commercial vehicles. These navigation systems provide truck and bus drivers with important route restrictions, such as low bridge overpasses. 7. Why is FMCSA concerned about bridge strikes? The Agency views bridge strikes as a serious safety hazard resulting in injury and loss of life, damage to infrastructure, interruption of commerce, and delays in travel times. The FMCSA believes bridge strikes are avoidable through better awareness of route restrictions along travel paths gained by paying closer attention to road signs and by the use of only those electronic navigation systems intended for trucks and buses.