It pays to know one’s limits. In fact, it can be downright seriously important to know one’s limits.
Examples
Don’t ask me to fly a plane or do surgery. I am not competent to do those things. I will not fall victim to the consideration of “How Hard Could It Be?” to attempt some of the things that are beyond my capability.
Risks
Now, it is not that I don’t take risks. I will take some risks. One needs to gauge the riskiness of one’s risks (to coin a phrase).
Here is a post about my taking a big risk and surviving.
Be Aware
But one needs to watch the warning signs. Warning signs are there for a reason. Not all signify imminent danger. It all depends on the context and circumstances.
Bridge
When I drive a car, I don’t usually consider its height. But driving a bigger vehicle such as a truck presents a different challenge. Height is critical.
So knowing the height of one’s vehicle is as significant as knowing the height of a bridge.
If you are driving a 12 foot high truck, don’t attempt to go under a bridge that has 11 foot 8 inch clearance. Like this very sad one in Durham, South Carolina. The bridge was built before standard clearances were established. Accidents are common.
Minimum clearance (also known as “structure gauge”) determines the minimum height in tunnels and bridges. The bridge in Durham was built before standards for clearance were established.
The problem is common in many parts of the country.
Here is a bridge in Metuchen, New Jersey, that has only a 11 foot 2 inch clearance. Accidents are all too common.
The Truck-Eating Bridge
Here is another city’s take on warning drivers about bridge clearance in Enid, Oklahoma. It has been dubbed “The Truck-Eating Bridge.” Check out the painted teeth. But it still does not dissuade drivers from attempting to driver under it.
Some of these low bridges are so notorious they have their own Facebook pages.
Old bridges built before standards were initiated are sad but understandable. However, how about a modern bridge?
There is a bridge in St. Petersburg, Russia, built in 2009 that has a clearance of only six feet (2 meters). As a result, truck drivers constantly crash into the bridge because their trucks exceed six feet high. Duh. This whole escapade makes you just shake your head in disbelief.
Bridge of Stupidity
So yes, truck drivers are foolish for attempting to drive under a bridge with insufficient clearance. And the St. Petersburg, Russia, bridge has been named the “Bridge of Stupidity” as a result. So far it has been noted that 150 trucks have already crashed attempting to pass under the bridge.
What causes me to scream is not only the truck drivers who crash when trying to drive under the bridge, but who in their right mind designs a bridge with only six feet of clearance? The stupidity label probably needs to be assigned to the designers of that bridge as well.
A recent report mentions that repairs are being considered to lower the road under that bridge to provide more clearance.
What About It?
What does this have to do with me? I’m not a truck driver. (I have occasionally rented trucks when moving, so it does apply to me, too, I guess.) Well, firstly, it scares me enough to be aware of whatever limitations I may encounter, not just regarding bridge height.
Secondly, when renting a truck, always agree to purchase the insurance!
Like Money
Like Money. I cannot be 100% invested at all times. I need to have cash on hand and in reserve. I cannot pay current bills with money stashed in IRAs or in real estate, or something else illiquid.
Like Elsewhere
I cannot drive my car at the maximum possible speed. I cannot eat everything at every moment. I cannot run as fast as possible indefinitely.
Limits are part of life. In some contexts, to assume there are none can be dangerous. In others, it is best to not allow preconceived limits stop us.
In your life, where have you left yourself enough clearance to avoid “low bridge” encounters? Send your comments from the Contact page.
The illustration of iron in variegated strata is from a paper “On the Disposition of Iron in Variegated Strata”, delivered by the botanist and geologist George Maw to the Geological Society on April 22nd 1868, and produced in “The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science,” July 1868. Currently at at the Biodiversity Heritage Library of the Smithsonian Libraries.
The illustration of a dragonfly is by Nicolaas Struyk (Dutch, 1686–1769). Currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The drawing Otters Swimming, was by Seki Shūkō (Japanese, 1858–1915). Currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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