As the college move-in season resumes, Boston's low-lying bridges witness an influx of moving trucks that meet with unfortunate accidents, entrapped by their inadequate clearance. Striving to address this concern, Massachusetts' Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has turned toward a new pilot program that aims to install unique signs in an effort to save these oversized trucks from structural encounters with these bridges, according to the Boston Globe.
This new sign, dubbed as the 'Cars Only' sign, was installed recently at the Storrow Drive entrance on David G. Mugar Way at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Street. The Department of Conservation and Recreation explains that this sign offers a "soft first contact" for vehicles that are too tall, an important aspect of its design being four extra inches at the bottom, as Boston.com reported. The unique design of the sign intends to bump into too-tall vehicles, thereby providing an essential warning to drivers of the impending danger should they continue down the road.
This notable pilot program aims to alert drivers to the low clearances on Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road in Boston as well as Memorial Drive in Cambridge. While several 'Cars Only' signs have been scattered all across Boston's main arteries, the new signs come as an additional security layer to ensure that drivers pay optimum attention and avoid catastrophic incidents.
Amidst serious attempts to increase public awareness, DCR has taken to humor as a weapon to emphasize the importance of vigilance for drivers navigating Boston's low-lying bridge areas. Last week, they circulated a parody of the well-known BC SPCA commercial set to Sarah McLachlan's "Angel," imploring motorists to pay heed to their surroundings. The parody's message to motorists states, "For just $0 a day, you cannot hit a bridge or overpass," according to Boston.com.
