A trucking veteran is going viral on Facebook after calling out the driver of an Amazon delivery truck who tried—and failed—to squeeze under a low bridge in New York, leaving the rig stuck, and traffic backed up. The video was shared by Trashy Trucker Media, which posted footage of what it dubbed a "door dummy," after the truck became wedged beneath an iron bridge in Queens. "Door dummy delays Christmas getting his truck hung up under [the] iron bridge in Queens, New York," the page captioned the clip. In the video, viewers can hear the content creator reacting in real time to the scene, loudly narrating the mess and directing his frustration toward the Amazon driver, though it’s unclear whether the driver could hear him. "Ain’t having no fun up here in Astoria, Queens, New York, folks," Trashy Trucker Media says in the clip. "That’s right. The door dummy done got himself hooked up underneath one of them fancy iron bridges they got up there." He goes on to note that police were already on the scene and that the damage appeared severe. The top of the truck’s trailer looked as though it had been peeled open after striking the bridge. "Driver, that’s unacceptable!" Trashy Trucker Media shouts. As of this writing, the video has racked up more than 436,000 views, drawing plenty of attention—and criticism—for the miscalculation that left the truck stuck, and traffic stalled. Should Amazon Truck Drivers Avoid Driving Under Bridges? Generally, Amazon truck drivers—or, really, any semi truck drivers—are expected to avoid bridges with low clearance, and for good reason. That’s because larger vehicles can easily exceed the height limits on older bridges, especially in dense cities like New York, where clearance can drop well below what’s standard on interstates. And bridge strikes are dangerous, disruptive, and expensive. At least in some states, drivers of these larger vehicles are usually trained to know the height of the truck they’re operating and to obey posted clearance signs. For Amazon, in particular, its routing systems are also designed to steer trucks onto commercial-friendly routes that avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and other restrictions. When everything works as intended, those tools help prevent exactly the kind of situation seen in the viral video. Just like any other commercial vehicle on the road, Amazon trucks must comply with all posted height restrictions. Avoiding low bridges isn’t optional—but a relatively basic part of operating safely, protecting the public, and keeping traffic moving. In a statement to Motor1, an Amazon spokesperson said, "We’re still investigating what happened with this incident but I can say that the safety of our employees and partners (like this carrier driver) is our top priority. This is why we provide them all with access to a commercial navigation tool in our Relay app." Commenters Blame Amazon Driver For Error Plenty of viewers who saw Trashy Trucker Media’s post didn’t hesitate to fault the driver, arguing that whoever was behind the wheel failed at the basics. Several said the situation could’ve been avoided by checking the route ahead of time, paying closer attention to clearance warnings, or steering clear of low bridges altogether. "Got to do better, driver," one man commented under Trashy Trucker Media’s video. Others questioned how the situation escalated in the first place, given the number of warnings typically posted in those areas. "I mean, at [what] point does he notice his truck getting too close?" another asked. "There are measurements everywhere." "I thought CDL school taught reading signs," a third added. A handful of commenters took a more sarcastic tone, joking that the mishap may have ruined Christmas—though it’s unclear whether the incident happened before the holiday, as the video was uploaded to Facebook on December 26. "So much for Xmas presents," one person quipped. "So that’s where my package is," another joked. Not everyone piled on, though. At least one truck driver chimed in with a more sympathetic take, sharing a similar experience from earlier in his career. "Been there, read the signs too late to avoid the danger," he wrote. "A kind driver behind me guided me back to a cross street, allowing this newbie on his first trip to Queens to back out gracefully (sheepishly) and journey on with no damage to equipment, bridge, or safety record. The only injury was to my pride!" Motor1 has reached out to Trashy Trucker Media via a direct message on Facebook. We'll update this if they respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
