You find yourself at a low bridge - now what?

Call the police and back up as far as necessary.

 

yeah,if you can't safely get out of the area yourself call local police to hold traffic and direct.

 

STOP

 

Sit there and watch to see if another truck makes it through. Of course, if its a 13' bridge that aint gonna happen. Try to back up, flip a u turn, or find a way to get out of there. I like to check google maps to check out the route to my p/u or delivery. The most common low underpass is a rail road.

 

Call police, they will gladly help back up rather than let you hit the bridge. Same with bridges that you are too heavy for, call the police. I've had to do it a few times in my career, they are always helpful, you are not the first one.

 

Ive come across a low bridge once to three times in my years. The first time it was in New Haven between 95 and the sea. I stopped there, knocked on someone's house. Had them call the Law so I can get the roads blocked off enough to turn that thing around. And the Law showed up, blocked the traffic and protected me as I turned that thing around on several yards and thankfully a large patch of land not owned by anyone. Then I was given directions to hit 95 just so.

There was another bridge in downtown Martinsburg WVa that was marked 13.5 I was a flatbed but there was a van with me who happened to follow me becuase... I was a big truck using a route he thought he can use too to get clear of the city. fortunately for him his suspension was compressed enough to sneak that bridge.

Another bridge north of Lancaster on 222, that one is a arch stone bridge. 10.6 in your lane southbound. What we do is convoyed up in packs of 4 and decided who was to shoot the middle first as we came up on it. When we got there, we got into the middle covering the yellow line and shot the arch, basically the first driver has to be dead on accurate because there was 4 trucks with him inside of his tire tracks that will also pileup on him and kill everyone should he be off a few inches to either side.

Never mind deciding who gets it first if there was a northbound pack of 3 or 4 arriving there the same time we did. I guess we would decide senority based on CDL or class A issuing year. 1987! nope, 1955. Ok Go ahead 1955.

One bridge in carlise under a railroad has a few scratches on it from me. Not too many, it was really a soft gently tested to see if it will fit. Antennas said yes but the air dam over sleeper say nope. Backing out and getting round involved a blind side back up someone's driveway, not something you are supposed to be able to do there because the drive was only for cars, not trucks.

The biggest giveway that you are a rank newbie with zero experience is when you come up on a bridge in NYC marked 12.6 and then slam on all of your brakes. Radio will light up, don't be that stupid, add a foot and GO! *&^% NYC and NY bridges are the worst offenders. Being too stupid in math to make a proper measurement.

 

Calling the police for assistance is your best bet but I'd be prepared for the possibility that the local cop that shows up being less than thrilled to see you there. Just be prepared for a lot of "yes sir, totally my fault, yes sir I will be more mindful of signage" (even if the signage is well past the point of no return).

 

Came by low bridge one time in buffalo ny, luckly tow truck driver was going by, he stop traffic for me and just back up half mile and made you turn to get out.

 

I almost did once. An 11' with a sign blocked by a tree. Those traps are out there!