The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has launched a new public awareness campaign to address the issue of bridge strikes. The campaign, titled “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right,” aims to educate drivers on the importance of knowing their vehicle’s height to prevent collisions with bridges over state and local roadways.
From 2015 to 2025, Georgia reported 16 bridge strikes. Notable incidents include an excavator hitting the Chatham Parkway bridge overpass on I-16 in July 2024, causing travel delays and project postponements. In July 2021, a truck collision with the State Route (SR) 86 overpass led to its demolition and replacement at a cost of approximately $3.6 million.
“Considering the significant costs associated with damage to the state’s transportation infrastructure, the disruption to traffic, and the safety risks to the public, first responders and our employees, bridge strikes are a major concern for the department,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “These types of crashes are avoidable, and this public awareness campaign is part of our ongoing effort to educate all motorists on best practices for safe driving.”
The campaign targets drivers of commercial trucks, leased trucks, and recreational vehicles. It emphasizes compliance with posted bridge heights and warns against relying solely on navigation devices or apps that do not display bridge heights.
Georgia DOT is implementing this initiative in collaboration with The Eastern Transportation Coalition—a partnership involving 19 states and the District of Columbia aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency across various travel modes.
Georgia DOT oversees planning, construction, and maintenance of state highways while also supporting local governments in road maintenance efforts. The department is committed to innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility within Georgia’s transportation system.
