Class A Low Bridge Accident

Seeing the bridge approaching you would think seeing the side of the bridge at eye level would create a few questions, one of which should’ve been why am I not stopping!

toedtoes wrote:
I do wonder if putting a sign ON the low bridge/overpass/tunnel is enough. I've been on some roads where it is impossible to pull over or turn around or exit within visual distance of the potential hazard. What do you do?

I've seen signs that indicate "last exit before bridge". Should there be signs that say "vehicles over 9' 8" exit now" so the driver can avoid the hazard. Especially in heavy traffic, you could find yourself "pushed" forward.

Approaching SB (direction of MH) all well in advance of the bridge:

There is a low bridge sign with the height.
There is a narrow bridge sign.
There is a curve warning sign with 15mph advisory speed.
There is the sign on the bridge.
There is the large bridge beam at eye level.
It's a straight and level wide open approach.

It's a rural 2 lane 2 way road that doesn't appear to be particularly busy.

I do wonder if putting a sign ON the low bridge/overpass/tunnel is enough. I've been on some roads where it is impossible to pull over or turn around or exit within visual distance of the potential hazard. What do you do?

I've seen signs that indicate "last exit before bridge". Should there be signs that say "vehicles over 9' 8" exit now" so the driver can avoid the hazard. Especially in heavy traffic, you could find yourself "pushed" forward.

Yikes!

Yeah, no excuse for that one. If you didn't see that coming you shouldn't be on the road.

I hope everyone recovers.

SB is a straight wide open approach with no visibility issues. There are multiple signs for the bridge plus a 15mph advisory sign for the curve just beyond the bridge. Plus the bottom of the bridge is right around eye height so even without signs, it should be obvious there is an issue.

Pretty much no excuse for this other than driver error. Very lucky it was minor injuries. Driver was 83 which makes you wonder if he really should still have a license?

The question I have is was it labelled on the other side of the overpass?

On Edit: I see that there was a sign on the other side. (That is a great link, by the way. A very good report, compared to most.) But I can also see where it could be confusing as the sign on the other side is on an overpass that is obviously much higher than 9'9", and the RV made it under that one. From some of the pics, it also looks like the road has a slight downgrade from the direction the RV was travelling, which would serve to further obstruct the view of the lower underpass behind the front (higher) overpass. The driver might have been trying to figure out "What's up with that?" when they hit the lower 9'9" overpass. Not slamming the driver due to age, either, but that could've been a factor in trying to figure out what's what. Sad.

In any event, I can see where this may not be as cut and dried as someone who was just trying to ram a 13' RV under a 9'9" overpass.

Hopefully the folks will have a full recovery. Not sure about the rig, though. :-)

~Rick

Dang. It's like they didn't see that coming. Class A motorhomes are TALL, and 9-9 is LOW....just surprised it happened at all.

Glad they will live (and hopefully learn)