Last week, TruckersReport published an article about a newbie driver who hit a bridge and totaled his trailer during his very first day on the job. This week, we have a story so similar, you’re going to wish it was the same driver. But it isn’t. And incredibly, this story is even worse.
Just like last week, there was a clearly posted height of 11’-6”, a full 2 feet too short to fit an average tractor trailer. Just like last week there was a trucker on one side of the underpass who wanted to get to the other side. And just like last week, it ended with a trailer so mangled that the whole rig had to be towed away from the scene.
Most commenters on the article last week naturally assumed that the new driver either didn’t notice the sign, didn’t know how tall his trailer was, or was going too fast to stop. All three are a bad sign for a driver, but none of those reasons are as bad as the reason this driver had for driving into the bridge.
According to The Morning Call, the driver did see the sign, did know how tall his trailer was, and did in fact come to a complete stop.
The driver told police that he saw the signs and knew his trailer was “well over” the posted height. So, he called a coworker to ask what he should do. The coworker told him he would fit.
Based off of his coworker’s assurances that it wouldn’t be a problem, and his GPS’s prompting that this was the right way to go, the driver decided to give it a try.
Given the fact that his rig had to be towed away afterward, it appears that he did not tentatively try and test his theory first, but instead drove into the bridge fast enough to do serious damage to his trailer.
While the bridge seems to be intact, it will still be inspected for structural damage. Just like last week, the driver received a traffic citation.
Source: livetrucking, truckersreport, morningcall
Kenny says
That takes a special kinda of stupid right there.
Mike Stewart says
You can’t fix stupid, special or NOT!
Shawn gherity says
Someone that stupid shouldnt have a license(or walk among the rest of us unsupervised for that matter).
Perhaps he can marry the dingbat from paoli indiana that “didnt know” that a loaded rig weiged more than 6 tons?
Michael Charette says
This is why you should not rely on anyone other than your own judgement and common sense. That coworker he talked to probably had no idea as to where he was and GPS said that was the way to go so,up up and away ,he crashed .He should have called the local P.D. and told them of his problem and let them come out ,turn him around and show him which way to go. I’ve done it ,fellow driver freinds of mine have done it and the cops led them across a weight restricted bridge and told the driver there was no way to get to this place with going across an 8 ton bridge so here’s your ticket . The guy just didn’t use his head and say wait a minute .
Jon says
It’s likely he doesn’t know what a ton is! Sounds like there are still companies who send out drivers with out a trainer, my first job was line haul. In 2005 the safety officer got in the passenger seat, I drove about 3 miles while he watched me shift, I took 2 rights and a left back to the terminal and he said your hired. Next day they sent me off on a five day trip! I had been trained by a friend who was an owner op, about 20,000 miles total.
Brewter says
Drivers like this one is what gives the trucking industry a bad name. This is what trucking companies are looking for, cheap drivers, inexperienced, or foreign people the come across the border, can’t read or write English, the companies get a tax break.. there is not a shortage of truck drivers. People are not wanting to go in the field of truck driving because of the pay these trucking companies pay there drivers vary low income. Think about it, google what is one of the most dangerous jobs to have.. that’s right, Truck Driving… where is the pay ???
Dan the Man says
I’ve had a similar situation in Buffalo on a 4 lane underpass. There are several that have been graded and the regulars all speed under them but I know there are modified trailers in the area due to the many low bridges so I stopped. The old signs said I wouldn’t fit but passerby’s insisted I try as this was the DOT posted detour. Unlike gullible in your story I engaged the 4 ways and inched up, got out with my reflective gear and checked to find clearance was more than sufficient. I was informed after that a NY state trooper could still fine me for a successful pass because the overpass had a lower posted height than my truck. I could see how a newbie would be pressured into trying though but I would expect he would have inched into it. I’ll have to say that with today’s employment pressures and time demanding bosses that know nothing about the job after it leaves the office I don’t find this the least bit surprising. Sad but I’ve had to tell my boss to F his hat several times and I’m not fresh on the job.
Red says
With that level of intelligence, that dude could have a bright future in government or politics. What’s he doing in a truck?
Douglas Kirk says
It’s amazing the absolute BS that’s spread on some of these sites, and even more disturbing that people are standing in line to swallow it whole….unfortunately, TTR is a hotbed of such activity. Read the forum and see for yourself.
I suspect this will get me a big fat ban, but these people seem dead set on spreading as much nonsense as possible in the name of money and ego….
TexasJester says
And the bs here is..?? If you’re going to make an accusation, back it up.
Douglas Kirk says
Just read all the crap about how to get a job if you can’t pass a drug test, or if you wreck 3 trucks in a month, or if you can’t make deliveries on time. Read about how the company is always to blame, but the poster is almost totally illiterate and incompetent…..if you try to give anybody realistic advice you’ll get booted
Douglas Kirk says
So now my comment is awaiting moderation……lol. What did I tell you?
RCD says
Well at least the driver did have sense enough to stop first and call someone. Just ashamed driver didn’t go with there gut before taking the plunge. All of us as drivers have made stupid mistakes. Some costly and some not. It really is ashamed that new drivers aren’t taught any better than they are. I find hiring drivers, that most don’t even know how to do trip planning or even read a map. GPS and technology have made this career a lazy one. Most stories like this one start out the same way. GPS said go this way!!! LOL Have a safe and great day out there drivers!!!
Frank says
Yep they all say the GPS told me to come this way but when you first turn on the GPS it says sorry but we are not responsible for your stupidity check all signs and make sure you know what you’re doing
LoomTruckz says
These people actually share the same job with us. This is why so many laws and mandates are being put into place and driverless tech is on its way. They need to have a systematic mental test for people and call it the “You Cant Fix Stupid Law.”
Robert says
So what happens when the driverless truck encounters a low bridge? Please don’t say it won’t happen cause it will.
ZEE says
can a robot truck without a driver pass under a low bridge?
The new “CAN the chicken cross the road” question.
Not even T2 would try, as he , an advanced cyborg that could see in
the dark, asked for a torque wrench. Any commonality withe the above
“suspected drivers” is purely co0incidental.
ZEE says
why?
Wisten Ramos says
Keep pushing theses new drivers threw CDL training like an assembly line !! Or puppy mill … got to get the newbies out in rd and bring in new victims to make more money !!! So sad !!
Joe2bolts says
I don’t believe this story. Most of today’s new drivers are pretty bad but, i dont think one would actually do it intentionaly.
Jeff Pearson says
And a minute before the dispatcher was telling him that he was the greatest driver in their fleet..Guess this happens when you learn common core math.. a 13 6 truck will fit in an 11 6hole..funny thing.. IT WONT..and common core is a failure..along with this kids work record.. you dont think he wont have the name of To Tall for many many years to come…
Barney Big Rig says
You CAN’T genetically fix STUPID!! P.T. BARNUM said many years ago that “there’s an IDIOT born every minute”!! Doesn’t take an EINSTEIN to see most of them are in the Transportation Services!!
Douglas Kirk says
He actually said there was a sucker born every minute, meaning people he basically swindle money out of
Donald Berry says
Common core math…Close enough.
Mar says
Have seen several wrecked straights here at the local Penske, top of box or corner caved in. Who knows what they hit, no low bridges around here really but maybe they hit a gas station overhead. Seems people are too lazy to get out and check.
BA says
he is now the trainer at swift
coachman says
practice, practice, practice…n I bet with a local cop directing him his skills would improve or he would get out and walk away.
Karl says
GPS: Recalculating…
Floyd says
Haha! That’s a good one!
sam says
This is why we need elogs and speed limiters…
Wait, what?!
gary jenkins says
I work for a trucking company in an office, got a call where driver tried to go thru a 10 foot 9 inch tunnel. Guess what his reason was. I knew I wouldn’t fit, but what else was I go do. My response, call local police,they will stop traffic so you could back up. He says,I can’t back that good.
Bago says
Stop giving jokes.
Jim says
Must have been in the top of his Swift graduating class.
Walt says
You can’t believe all signs and if you ever delivered at Brooklyn produce market, you went under bridges that read 12′ 4″ even 10′ 6″.
coachman says
I really hate when that happens…that’s why I hack sawed my stacks…but maybe tall stacks serve a purpose?
ZEE says
curb feelers?
juan says
At times it’s best to trust your instincts, better yet find another way, you can’t rely on your GPS before GPS was available, there were Atlases with truck routes maybe it’s time for those who are still wet behind the ears to pickup a current Atlas and take a glance and be wary of your surroundings and familiarize yourself before you get yourself in a bind
coachman says
If you find your self in a bad place you are gonna have trouble backing out of call the Fire Dept. They are truck drivers and they are lots less judgmental, they spend a lot of time in boredom so they appreciate some entertainment. N’ if you need to find your delivery addy they know how to find every where!
Bago says
I’ll put that up for future reference.
Jude Ossowski says
I once had a edelivery in Cleveland, OH. The only information anyone could give me was, “It’s in ‘the flats'”. I found “the flats” but couldn’t find the street. I did find the fire department. I asked for direction from a firefighter who saw me get out of the truck and walk up. He told me to “go up here, make the left turn across the bridge and the address is two blocks up on the left”. Yep, it was there, but the bridge had an 11 foot clearance and a 10 ton weight limit! I turned around, said a prayer and found a cop who escorted me directly to the place!
ZEE says
many jurisdictions don’t require a fire truck driver to have a cdl
so how would not having a cdl make one a “truck driver”?
troy says
He should have got a better run at it!
Jude Ossowski says
…and today he’s a dispatcher. Knows nothing about driving but can tell you where to go!
Tom W says
Sometimes it is confusing in places. Came up on a bridge…13’6″ painted on bridge. Sign on the road said 13’4″….Bad spot to back (except into 4 lane traffic). Almost called the cops for assistance, but pressure from traffic and all decided to dump the suspension and creep under. LUCKY for me I fit. Could’ve turned out very different though.
Robert says
Here’s your sign
Steve P says
When you get into these situations you can not rely on a co-worker or even you’re boss. You have to make the decision yourself. You’re the one that will be paying the price for screwup.
I have come up to cops and firemen when they try to detour you through some back road or residential area due to an accident or fire.
I stop the truck put on my 4 ways. Get out of the truck and check with someone in authority if I can get through with a tractor trailer.
They may get mad at me for stopping ,but unless I get an answer that I can trust that truck does not move.
Gail Morra says
Trucker report will ban you if a tattletailer driver doesn’t like what you say.
Neil Pawelczak says
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t even know what else I can say right there. You can’t fix stupid.
Elkhannah says
If breathing was not automatic he would have not lived past birth
Kenneth Clark says
What can you say but Wow!