Truck GPS vs. Phone GPS: How to Avoid Low Bridges

Indianapolis police say they keep getting called to the same spot: a low railroad bridge at 300 S. Meridian Street, clearance 12 feet 4 inches. When a truck hits it, traffic stops, commuters and visitors get stuck, and officers and city crews get pulled away from other work.

Police also say the strikes damage city property. Their ask to drivers and carriers is simple: use truck-specific navigation apps so you're not sent down roads that aren't made for commercial vehicles.

New Jersey has four truck bills pending, and none has become law yet. The one that stands out is A1182. It would require trucks weighing 26,001 pounds or more to use a truck-specific GPS program on state highways, one that warns about low bridges, low overpasses and weight limits and routes by truck height and weight. Enforcement would start 180 days after it becomes law, and the Motor Vehicle Commission would write the details.

Other bills would require clearer truck-route signs with delivery exceptions, study whether to lower highway weight limits, and set up weigh-in-motion scales near bridges in poor condition. The article doesn't list fine amounts. These are proposals, not rules, but they show where some lawmakers are headed.

A regular map app is built for cars. It's looking for the fastest or shortest way, and it doesn't know you're carrying a tall trailer. A truck-specific app builds the route around your height, weight and length, and warns you about low clearances and restricted roads.

That's the difference police are pointing to. It's not about being a bad driver. It's about having the right information before you're committed to the turn.

Truck GPS is only as good as the numbers you put in. If you've got a different trailer, a load that sits high, or equipment on the roof, your height may not be what's printed on the door. Measure it, write it where you can see it, and update the app when anything changes.

If you're not sure, ask your dispatcher or safety department. It's a two-minute question that can save a very bad day.

Look at the last few miles, not just the highway. A lot of strikes happen in the final stretch to a shipper or receiver, in a downtown or an older neighborhood. Take a minute to check the route, look at the satellite view, and call the receiver if you're unsure about the approach.

Watch for posted clearance signs and truck route signs, and keep in mind that your GPS can miss something. If you're not sure you'll clear it, stop in a safe place and call dispatch. Never take the chance.

New Jersey's bills are still in committee, so nobody knows if or when a GPS rule will pass, or how it would be enforced day to day. The reports don't give fine amounts or bridge-strike numbers. For your own case, check with your carrier and the state where you run.

Low bridges aren't new, but the pressure on drivers and carriers to avoid them is growing. A truck-specific GPS, the right height in the system and a quick look at the final miles will keep you out of most trouble.

And if you're looking for a carrier that gives you good equipment, good dispatch support and clear info on your routes, that's worth asking about up front.