New York State Police issued nearly 1,000 violations to commercial vehicles along the New York State Thruway during a recent enforcement campaign aimed at preventing bridge and overpass strikes, an issue of particular concern along heavily traveled Thruway corridors, including the I-87/I-287 stretch through Rockland County.
State Police Troop T said its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit participated in the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign at the end of July, combining commercial vehicle inspections, education and targeted enforcement.
Troopers conducted 348 commercial vehicle inspections statewide during the initiative. Of those vehicles, 126 were immediately placed out of service due to safety-related violations.
In total, troopers issued 966 violations, including five involving over-height vehicles. Another 189 uniform traffic tickets were issued for violations including speeding, failure to use seatbelts or restraints, cellphone use, registration and license issues, and other offenses.
State Police said more than 375 bridge strikes have been recorded across the Thruway system over the past five years. Additional bridge strikes involving over-height commercial vehicles occurred this week in both the downstate region and Western New York, highlighting the importance of drivers knowing their vehicle height before entering the Thruway.
The maximum legal vehicle height on the New York State Thruway is 13 feet, 6 inches. Commercial vehicles exceeding that height are required to obtain a special hauling permit and plan routes that avoid structures with insufficient clearance.
For Rockland County motorists, where the Thruway carries significant commercial traffic through areas including Suffern, Airmont, Monsey and surrounding communities, bridge strikes or disabled commercial vehicles can quickly result in major traffic backups across the region.
Troop T is responsible for law enforcement and public safety operations along approximately 570 miles of the New York State Thruway.
