A rookie driver had a rough first day on the job. So rough in fact half that the wheels on his trailer weren’t touching the ground when he was done driving for the day.
The 24-year-old driver hit a low overpass in Tonawanda, New York on Tuesday at around 10:15am. According to The Buffalo News, the driver hit the Young Street CSX bridge, severely damaging his trailer and getting it stuck.
As you can see in a photo posted by the Tonawanda Police Department, the bridge has a posted clearance height of 11’-6”, about 2 feet below the height of an average tractor trailer.
Amazingly, though the trailer is totaled, no one was injured and the damage to the bridge is thought to be minimal.
When questioned by investigators, the driver told them that it was his first day on the job. He has been issued a court summons for striking the bridge and for other traffic infractions.
Source: wivb, buffalonews, syracuse, kansascity, livetrucking
Image Source: Tonawanda Police
Jeff says
Poor guy. I think I remember something about checking for proper clearance though. BEFORE you try to drive under it.
MATTHEW DAY says
Well that is understandable but how many trucks have gotten stuck under that same damn Bridge and they still haven’t put a big sign that says no big trucks seriously they can throw up big truck signs all over malls and shopping centers but God forbid they throw up one at a bridge that’s too low
Chad says
There is a sign!!!! the numbers on the sign don’t match the numbers on his goddamn trailer Any f****** fool with a little Common Sense would know that 13 6 is more than 11 6 and there’s just about a hundred percent chance it’s not going to fit.
Robert says
Tell that to the folks in Chicago. I cleared a bridge plainly marked 12’6″. That kind shoots your theory down.
Hammer says
That’s because they Mark them that way to account for heavy snowfall
keith smith says
Exactly I cleared maybe the same bridge in Chicago but I stopped and a police officer said they clearance was not labeled properly so I inched my way through slowly. Truck route signs need to be posted clearly and in advance.
Will says
That bridge does have a sign. It says ” 11′ 6″ Clearance”. What more do you want?
steve says
I will bet you are one of them who has hit that bridge as well!!read the damn sign,it is clearly posted. I have no pity for those that pull these stupid stunts.That driver and all those who come upon these low clearances had better learn to back up out of there if you can’t pay attention.the local police will help you get out of these situations,all you have to do is call them!!!
Robert says
First and last day.
Robert says
That’s going to be an expensive first and last day.
Robert says
It would be nice if these cities and towns would go out and measure the clearances once a year at least.
I came under a 12’6″ in Chicago coming from the rail yard 10 years ago. It was actually marked that. I knew I could make it cause I came under it to get to the rail yard.
steve says
Some cities post these 12’6 clearance due to snow packed roads.Chicago and NYC are good examples,however,you had better call the shippers for this info or the local authorities and by god double check your “TRUCKERS ATLAS”in the front section,it gives you the clearance and route restrictions!!!!!!
Michelle says
Google maps sucks!
Anon E Mouse says
No, Google maps does NOT suck. It is not designed to be used to plot truck routes. What sucks is rookies/dummies/other-idiot-types who misuse Google maps (or any other Gullible Positioning System) to plot routes for trucks. If you refuse to learn how to read a truck route map and learn how to find out what roads are currently shut, then spend the money on a specially-designed big-rig GPS system with very regular updates. This nickle-n-dime 100-dollar-GPS-in-a-truck BS is costing millions.
Iriemonarch says
In NY their are many overpasses that are incorrect but unless your from those areas or are familiar with traveling those areas you would never know. I use to see many yahoos get stuck under parkway bridges when big trucks aren’t permitted to use parkway in NY. They get stuck under the L’s a lot too.
SuGaRcOoKiE says
Here Here. I’ve been useing a Thompson Map for 30 years, and never had a bit of trouble.
Frankie says
First New York State measures from axle up. Instead of ground up. 49 other states follow this except the great New York. Either way this poor newbie should have known. Goes to show the GREAT training going on out there.
Keith says
I wouldn’t put this on training, I’d put this under distracted by something other than reading that 11’6″ sign.
steve says
Exactly,Keith!!
Jeromy Hodges says
Probably trained by someone with less than 6 months experience.
Ant says
This is trucking. This how well equipped the trucking schools and job training leave us.
David Rouse says
Like the guy who destroyed bridge in Iowa. Idiots!
steve says
Yeah,and that Iowa driver is from that area,he damn well knew better and these drivers deserve all and any fines and penalties coming to them.there is NO excuse for being stupid!!!!!!!
Tim Weber says
I think “Twisted Truckers” on Facebook has the video of that accident. The newbie didn’t even slow down. Obviously not paying attention or reading signs. I’m glad no one was hurt.
David Stout says
Damn, a little bit faster that FNG would have made it. Oh well, there is always a next time, but maybe not for him.
Keith says
It’s acts like this that makes me want out of trucking. What was this driver really doing behind the wheel. I’m sure it involved a cell phone
Jeff says
This is what you get with the “New” crop of drivers, sad! I’m glad I’m retiring soon! I’m done with the clowns that are the New Crop!
Mark says
Glad to hear your going to retire! Congrats!! Your still going to be on the road in your four wheeler are you not? How will you get to the grocery store to buy food that a “rookie” delivered?
Douglas Kirk says
Ever wonder why people think drivers are stupid?…..
Enrique Nunez says
stupid driver, just like those new drivers that use the passing lane for cruising and the can only do like 62 mph wide open , no training whatsoever, you have to wait for a chance to pass this idiot on the right lane , the DOT needs to ticket this bunch of A,H ,
robin says
I definitely agree about the quality of truck driving schools but then again you can only do just so much in three weeks. I was fortunate, I was taught by 1 million mile truck driver and got my experiences in the oil fields of North Dakota.
However, when I decided to go over the road, I had to go a truck driving school and already having experience under my belt, it was an interesting comparison of what they were not teaching.
For example, we watch the video on how to put on chains but we never once touched a set.
The other thing they did not teach and something that my mentor said and it’s stuck with me to this day is “always remember that you’re driving a big truck.” When he first told me that I thought, “no kidding” but later on, as driving the truck got easier… Those words made more sense.
Jude Ossowski says
You’ve got one up on me, robin. I’ve been driving for 33 years, taught for two of those years, and haven’t even seen a video for putting on chains. I haven’t got the foggiest idea how to do it. When the “Use Chains” signs go on, I get off the road.
Suzy says
If you hear this over the CB “They’re hangin’ iron up here” Pull over and stop
Robert says
Jude, I did that in Wyoming for a week once, it twas cold mfer.. omgosh!
steve says
Jude and Robin,instead of chains,try buying tire socks.takes about 5min to but on and they are legal in all 48 states.
Candi says
You can’t teach common sense
Enrique Nunez says
the schools now days are not training this new drivers right, a couple of months ago one of this new drivers could not back up his rig to the warehouse door between the two other rigs on both side of his trailer and half a dozen other drivers watching this show and having a good time about it , it was about 15 minutes later and he still could not get it between those trailers, i finally got out of my truck and park it on the door for him mostly because he was blocking me from getting to my door , no training whatsoever,
Don Stanfield says
Well like the other driver said your know gonna learn it all in a few weeks. I been at it 40 years an I have off days but I pull tanker I do liquid hydrogen i back up to a tank and after process I unload I’ve not pull a van in so long it would probably take a stab or two for me to get one between two trucks myself. But we all have to learn and learning take time an a lot of practice!!! Hope all you Ladies and Gentlemen have blessed day..
robin says
I’m not surprised about the backing up issue… The school I went to, you pulled out the hole at a 45° angle and then just backed back into it. They didn’t teach you how to line up or anything.
Will says
My trainer, 15 years ago, never let me back once. I learned at the school of hard knocks.
Too bad the veteran drivers out there would rather bitch and honk than help a guy out.
Helen Corbett says
Clearance is marked on bridges. Never trust a GPS for this. Clearance are in all atlas.
Walmart sucks says
The 287 around the boroughs says 12’6″.
Keith says
Nothing like the old Maps. Never trust a Gps.
Joe says
Hey look, it’s NOT a Swift truck! I guess idiots are at ALL companies.
Michael Charette says
I’ve been under 13’6″ bridges with a 13’6″ trailer. Get out check the clearance , feel the cab as it raises a bit , get out check again . Damn anyone got a piece of paper to check my clearance. This was going through my head as i did make it all the way But forgot about the last 6″ of trailer where the doors set because the frame there is 1 1/2 ” higher than the trailer. As I accelerated I felt a bump with downward pressure and thought OH OH . My delivery was 10′ the other side of the bridge ,got out looked and said AHHHH because there was not damage to the doors. I was taught ,when in doubt get out and look .
Charli says
Dang male drivers! ???
BA says
he is now a trainer at swift
Snow Walker says
You have to feel sorry for the poor guy. He must have been embarrassed out of his mind.
Ike says
Lots of people are blaming the schools or training. But you have to have something to work with first before you can train them. If you have been on the road for a while, you see what is passing for truck drivers now. Can someone please tell me why they put the tires on or across the zipper when passing.
Will says
And who told them to flash the high beams when being passed. Do you really want the guy 20 feet ahead of you driving blind?
Suzy says
13’6″ and even then it’s no guarantee that it’s really 13’6″
Martin Richards says
Shouldn’t a driver have a trainer supervising him on the “first day”?
The article says, “rookie driver” making us think this was his first job.
Chris says
Letz put the sqeeze on GPS.BUY RAND MCNALLY TRUCK MAPS, Come on guys, every driver should have one.Read and plan.Not enough time verse’s technology again, and yes, GOAL
steve says
If you are going to buy a GPS,be smart about it and quit trying to pinch a dollar!!rand Mcnally has been in the mapping business for a long long time.everything else is only second best.A lot of those other gps companies cut out a lot of information to cut cost,Garmen and Magellan are good examples of doing this.
Les says
Get used to this kind of thing’s.Company’s and schools are getting them out as fast as they can.No longer do they care about driver’s with year’s behind the wheel,they want to fill the seat’s anyway they can.Watch out world.80,000 pound’s are coming your way.
Rolando Solis says
Here comes driverless trucks!
Sam Mitchell says
Probably a foreign driver and greenhorn who doesn’t know English, their are ALOT of foreign drivers in America that can’t speak or understand a lick of ENGLISH, Just Sayin!!!
Mack. says
Sam Mitchell, this may be news to you, but numbers are the same everywhere in this world, no matter what’s the language.
Mack. says
I became a truck driver 20 years ago and even back then everybody complained about the schools and the new crop of drivers. Let’s be honest, we really started to learn the trade out there on the road, on our own, hopefully with good advice from other drivers. No school can teach you to be a super trucker right off the bat. Also no school can teach you common sense, basic physics and calmness under extreme pressure. i believe those are the major three qualities a candidate should possess to be a professional big rig driver. Then experience will do the rest. Experience alone will not make one a great driver. You can’t be hitting low bridges to learn not to. In my opinion if you hit a low bridge, or drive over and collapse a hundred year old steel bridge with a 5 ton weight limit, you should never be allowed into a truck cab again, unless only as a passenger. You don’t possess that something extra required to be a bug truck driver. GPS made me do it – doesn’t cut it! Now the problem is that only a certain percentage of the population possesses the qualities I mentioned. And only a small percentage of those ever become truck drivers. But the economy requires a lot of drivers, it needs trucks and seats filled to keep going. So it is what it is and it will never change for the better, no matter how difficult and arduous you make the training and the whole process of becoming a professional truck driver. To make the last point stick I’ll finish with this: They make it really hard and extremely expensive in Europe. The candidates have to even pass psychological tests, among other things. You have to drive a straight truck before applying for the big rig license. Still I read about stupid drivers who make stupid, irrational, illogical decisions that result in damage and closed roads. You can’t teach common sense, period. Get used to the mayhem out there.
Keith says
Driverless trucks will ensure that this never happens again!
troy says
That girl that took out that historic bridge went to jail for 6 months and paid over 10 thousand in fines. Her companies insurance paid 750 thousand for the the bridge. Her excuse was not knowing what 10 tons was.
Deborah L says
She was Amish and left the order I believe. Her education most likely stopped at the 8th grade, so weight may not have been really taught. I imagine most schools have the assumption that people know what weight signs mean and how much weight they mean without having to teach a lot about it. Her lack of knowledge cost her a whole lot and luckily no one was hurt.
JC says
We have a 11’8″ bridge in Louisville on 3rd Street next to UofL and it seems like someone gets their 13’6 trailer stuck under it once a week. I don’t know what they tell the police but I’m pretty sure they aren’t all new drivers. This article is not shocking.
Red says
Some corporate exec thought it would be cheaper to pay a rookie as green as they come .32 per mile to run that 600 miles of freight instead of .50 per mile for someone who actually wouldn’t total the truck in the process….$100,000+ later… That same corporate guru still thinks it’s cheaper to hire greenhorns. Why? Business men aren’t truck drivers.
Edward Nash says
Sorry 13’3″ your truck and trailer