Will the state’s efforts to curb Storrowing really work this move-in season?
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has been on a full-court press forward of move-in day on Sept. 1 — attempting to get the phrase out so folks transferring their couches and beds in U-Haul vans don’t slam into low-clearance bridges and overpasses on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and Memorial Drive.
In addition to a humorous social media marketing campaign, DCR on Monday put up a brand new, extra seen and sturdy “Cars Only” signal on David G. Mugar Way.
“This year DCR has expanded our efforts to ensure the public knows about low bridge clearances on our river roads to ensure that we can safely welcome students back to school and new residents to the area,” mentioned DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo.
“We have implemented a pilot program to test out new, more visible and durable signage on Mugar Way and to warn people of the dangers of driving box trucks on low clearance roadways,” he added. “We hope our creative social media campaign will save our bridges and moving trucks from damage and ensure new residents return their trucks, roofs and all.”
That social media marketing campaign features a video of Michael Scott within the hit TV present “The Office” following his GPS and driving straight right into a lake, a traditional scene from the sitcom.
In DCR’s PSA video, DCR worker Ryan Hutton explains that Michael Scott (Steve Carell) blindly adopted his GPS into the lake.
“Don’t be a Michael Scott,” mentioned Hutton, who’s DCR’s social media strategist, photographer and videographer. “Actually search for the low-clearance indicators on Soldiers Field Road and Storrow Drive in Boston, and Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
“Your GPS doesn’t know you’re driving a moving truck, but you do, because you’re the one driving it,” he added. “Hopefully not while you’re watching this video. Hopefully you’re watching for the signs, and following their instructions.”
The new signal that was put up on Monday is product of a yellow aluminum, high-visibility retroreflective sheet — which can make it extra seen to drivers and scale back the probability of letters peeling off, particularly through the winter, DCR mentioned.
The signal additionally has an additional 4 inches of rubber hanging on the backside, meant to supply a smooth “first contact” for an over-height automobile. Down the street, DCR will decide whether or not so as to add extra of those indicators or go together with options.
🚫🙍🏻♂️Don’t be a Michael Scott this Move In Season, search for out of your GPS and look ahead to the low clearance indicators on Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road in Boston and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. Don’t get Storrowed! 🚨🚛 pic.twitter.com/SC7p0BfgI1
— MassDCR (@MassDCR) August 25, 2023
Source: www.bostonherald.com”