New York Senator Addresses Problem of Bridge Overpass Accidents

Oct. 8, 2012

New York Senator, Charles Schumer, recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Secretary, Ray LaHood, regarding a growing number of tractor-trailers involved in low bridge strikes as a result of GPS device failures. The Trucker reports the senator reported a “dramatic increase” in this type of accident across his home state in recent years.

The letter stated poor GPS routing are responsible for approximately 80 percent of New York and Buffalo Truck Accidents involving low bridge strikes. This statistic is bolstered by a New York State Department of Transportation study showing roughly 200 bridge accidents per year since 2005. Most of the crashes occurred within Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester Counties.  These accidents cost New York’s taxpayers roughly $4 million annually.

Experts believe these accidents are caused by failure of GPS units to recognize routes with low overpasses, instead sending large trucks on the most convenient, but not necessarily safest, route.

An estimated $3 million has been spent on new signage and educating truckers to be aware of low overpasses. However, Senator Schumer would like to see the federal government offer assistance with the problem.

The Car Accident Lawyers with William Mattar Law Offices understand how dangerous tractor-trailer accidents can be and would advise truck drivers to avoid secondary roads and highways, which often have low overpasses.