New York State troopers are ramping up efforts to catch overheight commercial vehicles on the New York State Thruway. On October 8, troopers conducted spot checks around Syracuse to enforce height restrictions.

Why it matters: Overheight vehicles striking bridges have become a serious problem in the state.

• The maximum height clearance on the New York State Thruway is set at 13 feet 6 inches.
• Bridge hits cause traffic disruptions and can be hazardous.

Governor Kathy Hochul has emphasized that these incidents are preventable and has launched a Bridge Hit Mitigation Task Force to address the issue.

What's being done: State officials have implemented technologies and campaigns to raise awareness among commercial vehicle drivers.

• The campaign, "Check Your Height, Know It's Right," aims to encourage drivers to be more mindful of their vehicle height.
• Patrols focus on trouble areas with frequent bridge strikes.

In November 2023, the task force was created to prevent such incidents, reported Governor's Office.

The big picture: With increased enforcement and education, the state hopes to see a decrease in these costly and dangerous mishaps. Since the start of 2023, there have been 91 reported bridge strikes, highlighting the ongoing challenge truckers face navigating New York's roadways safely.