New York Governor David Paterson has proposed legislation that calls for stricter enforcement of driving laws aimed at reducing the number of bridge strikes in Westchester County and across the state.

According to a release, the use of GPS systems by commercial truck drivers, which direct them to take state roads that are off limits or have low clearances, has caused a number of accidents. These accidents, called bridge strikes, involve trucks that run into overpasses, causing accidents and traffic delays, the release says.

Governor Paterson and Andrew Spano, Westchester County executive, have proposed legislation that would boost the penalties for truck drivers who illegally use parkways, and require trucks to use GPS devices that route them away from restricted roads. Under the rule, law enforcement officers would also have the authority to confiscate trucks that are stopped and ticketed at their discretion. In addition, the law would hold the trucking company or their insurance carrier responsible for the costs associated with the bridge strike.

"Bridge strikes are a critical public safety issue, as they endanger lives, eat up taxpayer dollars and add unnecessary stress to our daily commutes," Governor Paterson said. "Today, we put an end to bridge strikes by preventing truck drivers from illegally straying onto parkways and other restricted roads. This legislation will ensure that our roads and bridges are safer for New Yorkers so that we can divert money currently spent on clean up costs to schools, hospitals and social services for our neediest citizens." 



"Every week we hear of another truck striking a bridge on our parkways," Spano said. "Over the weekend there were two more of these accidents. So far, no one has been injured. But it's only a matter of time before someone is killed or a truck carrying chemicals or explosives hits a bridge."