Comments on: Just another awesome video about the 11' 8" bridge that peels the tops off trucks http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 15:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Frank http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1572984 Frank Sat, 03 Nov 2012 02:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1572984  "Here's your sign"  ”Here’s your sign”

]]> By: A http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1572477 A Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1572477 I think it's a big steel I-beam that they put up in front of the bridge to protect it from impact.  I think it’s a big steel I-beam that they put up in front of the bridge to protect it from impact. 

]]> By: C W http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1571337 C W Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1571337 "Ryder and Penske don't rent to people off the street anymore (just lease customers)" I don't understand what this means. Are you talking about renting through franchise-ish or affiliate locations? I rented within the last year and had a pretty great experience with Penske and didn't get any implied paranoia about truck damage. “Ryder and Penske don’t rent to people off the street anymore (just lease customers)”

I don’t understand what this means. Are you talking about renting through franchise-ish or affiliate locations? I rented within the last year and had a pretty great experience with Penske and didn’t get any implied paranoia about truck damage.

]]> By: Deebie http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1571111 Deebie Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1571111 Here's a better idea: lower the *bridge*.  These drivers think they're just short enough to scooch under a 11'8" bridge.  Fill the bridge out so it's only 10' above the road and they might get the point. Here’s a better idea: lower the *bridge*.  These drivers think they’re just short enough to scooch under a 11’8″ bridge.  Fill the bridge out so it’s only 10′ above the road and they might get the point.

]]> By: bgaskin http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1571059 bgaskin Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1571059 I agree with pics of trucks being destroyed.  Lets say three pictures on the bridge itself of the smaller just-big-enough RVs and Trucks just before they hit the bridge and a message "do you know your vehicle height?".  Maybe  two pics of small vehicles and one pic of a bigger vehicle too. Or show just after they hit the bridge for shock value (possibly at the risk of good PR for the bridge). Target the smaller vehicles.  The bigger RVs and Truck owners won't need to be rocket scientists to see it applies to them too. This is a lesson in human psychology, and doing the best for the greater good (not just self interest of the bridge owner / city council / etc)...  if the signs don't work, make a better sign. I agree with pics of trucks being destroyed.  Lets say three pictures on the bridge itself of the smaller just-big-enough RVs and Trucks just before they hit the bridge and a message “do you know your vehicle height?”.  Maybe  two pics of small vehicles and one pic of a bigger vehicle too.

Or show just after they hit the bridge for shock value (possibly at the risk of good PR for the bridge).

Target the smaller vehicles.  The bigger RVs and Truck owners won’t need to be rocket scientists to see it applies to them too.

This is a lesson in human psychology, and doing the best for the greater good (not just self interest of the bridge owner / city council / etc)…  if the signs don’t work, make a better sign.

]]> By: David Palmer http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1571003 David Palmer Thu, 01 Nov 2012 01:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1571003 The sign said 11'8, but I didn't see any cops around... The sign said 11’8, but I didn’t see any cops around…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570952 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570952 My roommates and I moved out of an eleven-room, two-story flat that we had been filling with stuff for more than five years.  Got the biggest truck they had.  Filled it.  It wouldn't start.  Very cranky.  It was my thirtieth birthday, too. My roommates and I moved out of an eleven-room, two-story flat that we had been filling with stuff for more than five years.  Got the biggest truck they had.  Filled it.  It wouldn’t start.  Very cranky.  It was my thirtieth birthday, too.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570908 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570908 I wonder if they could rig the bridge to play some loud obnoxious game show music whenever it's been hit. I wonder if they could rig the bridge to play some loud obnoxious game show music whenever it’s been hit.

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570878 GawainLavers Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570878 Ryder and Penske were used in hate crimes? Ryder and Penske were used in hate crimes?

]]> By: Geoduck http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570873 Geoduck Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570873 Judging from the (lack of) markings, I'd say that was a tour bus, rather than a regular city bus. Judging from the (lack of) markings, I’d say that was a tour bus, rather than a regular city bus.

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570865 GawainLavers Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570865 True story: get some friends to help me move, rent a UHaul, schlep all my worldly possessions down three flights of stairs and half a block in the rain into this thing.  Takes us hours.  I refuse to drive those things, so hand the keys to one of my friends.  He pulls the emergency brake cord...and it comes off in his hands. UHaul tells me that I have to come back to their lot downtown and get another truck.  Practically in tears at the prospect of rehauling all that crap my other friend goes at the brake mechanism with his knife and manages to dislodge it. We take off, head down admittedly a fairly steep street, and the friend driving says, "I think the brakes may be a little squishy -- how fast would you say we're going?" "15, 20 miles an hour?  Why." "I'm standing on the brakes." And then we were on the freeway.  It's been made abundantly clear to me that I'll never receive help moving again. True story: get some friends to help me move, rent a UHaul, schlep all my worldly possessions down three flights of stairs and half a block in the rain into this thing.  Takes us hours.  I refuse to drive those things, so hand the keys to one of my friends.  He pulls the emergency brake cord…and it comes off in his hands.

UHaul tells me that I have to come back to their lot downtown and get another truck.  Practically in tears at the prospect of rehauling all that crap my other friend goes at the brake mechanism with his knife and manages to dislodge it.
We take off, head down admittedly a fairly steep street, and the friend driving says, “I think the brakes may be a little squishy — how fast would you say we’re going?”

“15, 20 miles an hour?  Why.”

“I’m standing on the brakes.”

And then we were on the freeway.  It’s been made abundantly clear to me that I’ll never receive help moving again.

]]> By: lonnieburnie http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570859 lonnieburnie Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570859 If you lived in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area you would understand. There are many drivers who sit on railroad crossings at red lights, stop in the middle of traffic circles and generally lack the ability to drive.  If you lived in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area you would understand. There are many drivers who sit on railroad crossings at red lights, stop in the middle of traffic circles and generally lack the ability to drive. 

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570854 GawainLavers Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570854 Drainage chute?  Looks like a flume. Drainage chute?  Looks like a flume.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570847 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570847 This is why, when I rent a moving truck, I get somebody better than me to drive it and take every extra insurance policy available. I am acutely aware of where my strengths and weaknesses lie. This is why, when I rent a moving truck, I get somebody better than me to drive it and take every extra insurance policy available. I am acutely aware of where my strengths and weaknesses lie.

]]> By: AlexG55 http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570845 AlexG55 Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570845 There was a double-decker bus in my area of London that lost its roof on a bridge. Due to damage from a fire in Camden Market, the route had been diverted to pass under an arched railway bridge. The bus had enough clearance to pass under the arch if it drove through the middle, but the driver went through the edge instead... And buses getting lost (due to substitute drivers usually) isn't that uncommon. There was a double-decker bus in my area of London that lost its roof on a bridge. Due to damage from a fire in Camden Market, the route had been diverted to pass under an arched railway bridge. The bus had enough clearance to pass under the arch if it drove through the middle, but the driver went through the edge instead…

And buses getting lost (due to substitute drivers usually) isn’t that uncommon.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570844 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570844 <blockquote>Good thing I took my pill this morning.</blockquote>Only one? I'm on number four already.

Good thing I took my pill this morning.

Only one? I’m on number four already.

]]> By: Mark_Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570843 Mark_Frauenfelder Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570843 Crime spotted: At 0:32 the driver of a blue car throws a can or coffee cup out of the window. Crime spotted: At 0:32 the driver of a blue car throws a can or coffee cup out of the window.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570841 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570841 What is that wooden catwalk thing about? What is that wooden catwalk thing about?

]]> By: jimkirk http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570794 jimkirk Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570794 I remember a bridge like that when I lived around Scranton, PA.  The height was marked, but the bridge was right at the bottom of an abrupt steep hill, so if you had a long truck, well, it was an interesting geometry problem, with your front tires on the level and the rear tires still elevated on the hill. I remember a bridge like that when I lived around Scranton, PA.  The height was marked, but the bridge was right at the bottom of an abrupt steep hill, so if you had a long truck, well, it was an interesting geometry problem, with your front tires on the level and the rear tires still elevated on the hill.

]]> By: Elliott Frodahl http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570772 Elliott Frodahl Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570772 Whoa, that's really cool. http://www.gobotech.com.au/gallery/Laservision/Laservision.htm Whoa, that’s really cool.

http://www.gobotech.com.au/gallery/Laservision/Laservision.htm

]]> By: Warren_Terra http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570732 Warren_Terra Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570732 Yup. Right next to MIT, there's a 9-foot-2-inch clearance underpass on Memorial drive. With the enormous numbers of students moving every summer and fall, many driving their own UHaul or equivalent when they haven't driven anything for months, the underpass is notorious for killing rental trucks. The rental agencies warn people, but the warnings don't always take. Yup. Right next to MIT, there’s a 9-foot-2-inch clearance underpass on Memorial drive. With the enormous numbers of students moving every summer and fall, many driving their own UHaul or equivalent when they haven’t driven anything for months, the underpass is notorious for killing rental trucks. The rental agencies warn people, but the warnings don’t always take.

]]> By: Aaron http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570729 Aaron Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570729 Brilliant video. Music + smashed trucks =  LOL Brilliant video. Music + smashed trucks =  LOL

]]> By: Ian G http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570705 Ian G Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570705 We have a bridge like that here, constantly eating U-Hauls and other stuff that the college students drive to bring their junk here. Famously killed a local English pub/bar's double decker "bar crawl" bus... twice. We have a bridge like that here, constantly eating U-Hauls and other stuff that the college students drive to bring their junk here. Famously killed a local English pub/bar’s double decker “bar crawl” bus… twice.

]]> By: Andy Simmons http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570674 Andy Simmons Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570674 I used to work in Durham, and had to drive under that section of the bridge five times a week.  I got pretty used to having to ease through the unobstructed lane (or in worse cases, find an alternate route) every so often.  What the video doesn't capture, unfortunately, is the array of emotions that you could see on the faces of the various drivers of the unlucky trucks.  I imagine that the only thing worse than wedging a truck under the bridge is being forced to stand there and be judged by a parade of rubbernecking traffic. I used to work in Durham, and had to drive under that section of the bridge five times a week.  I got pretty used to having to ease through the unobstructed lane (or in worse cases, find an alternate route) every so often.  What the video doesn’t capture, unfortunately, is the array of emotions that you could see on the faces of the various drivers of the unlucky trucks.  I imagine that the only thing worse than wedging a truck under the bridge is being forced to stand there and be judged by a parade of rubbernecking traffic.

]]> By: Steve Miller http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570672 Steve Miller Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570672 The most puzzling crash was what appeared to be a city bus. This begs a couple questions... Is this a regular bus route? A substitute driver? A substitute bus taller than normal. Or do they just tear up buses all day long, every day? The most puzzling crash was what appeared to be a city bus. This begs a couple questions… Is this a regular bus route? A substitute driver? A substitute bus taller than normal. Or do they just tear up buses all day long, every day?

]]> By: Matthew Petty http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570662 Matthew Petty Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570662 "Hey! I'm spanning here! I'm spanning here!" “Hey! I’m spanning here! I’m spanning here!”

]]> By: spejic http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570651 spejic Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570651 One thing you don't get in the video is how loud tearing the roof off a truck is. It is very loud. One thing you don’t get in the video is how loud tearing the roof off a truck is.

It is very loud.

]]> By: dejoh http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570615 dejoh Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570615 This is why Ryder and Penske don't rent to people off the street anymore (just lease customers)  Too many trucks coming back damaged.  Much worse when they were 4 speed shift's, shot tranny's all the time. This is why Ryder and Penske don’t rent to people off the street anymore (just lease customers)  Too many trucks coming back damaged.  Much worse when they were 4 speed shift’s, shot tranny’s all the time.

]]> By: dawdler http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570595 dawdler Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570595  I was waiting to see if someone else noticed that.  The second hay truck MUST have seen what happened to the first.  I can just imagine him in there shrugging his shoulders with a "Meh" and plowing on through.  After all, it's just hay - not actually the top of his truck.  I was waiting to see if someone else noticed that.  The second hay truck MUST have seen what happened to the first.  I can just imagine him in there shrugging his shoulders with a “Meh” and plowing on through.  After all, it’s just hay – not actually the top of his truck.

]]> By: rocketpjs http://boingboing.net/2012/10/31/just-another-awesome-video-abo.html#comment-1570590 rocketpjs Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=191219#comment-1570590 I'd love it if they'd make a sign that spins around when hit, ideally with some pinball machine music and some flashing lights. I’d love it if they’d make a sign that spins around when hit, ideally with some pinball machine music and some flashing lights.

]]>