HOUSTON – A truck driver has been cited for operating without a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) after striking the Houston Avenue bridge overnight, causing a traffic backup on the Katy Freeway (I-10).
This is the third crash in just five days involving an oversized vehicle hauling a heavy load—raising new concerns about driver awareness and infrastructure safety in the area.
Truckers say bridge warning sign isn’t enough
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says a warning system is in place to prevent these kinds of accidents. A sign near the bridge blinks and lights up when it detects a vehicle over the legal height limit. However, some truck drivers argue the current setup isn’t enough to prevent strikes—especially at highway speeds and across multiple lanes.
One of those drivers is Ronald Premock, a retired trucker who now runs a Deep South pilot car escort service for oversized loads. He says the warning sign doesn’t activate early enough, especially for drivers in the left or middle lanes.
“If you’re in the fast lane or the middle lane, that sign is off to the right. It’s almost impossible because you’re concentrating on traffic, because you’ve got a high velocity traffic area,” Premock said.
He also warned that with the high number of trucks that travel I-10 through Houston daily, it’s difficult for drivers to tell whether the blinking sign applies to them or another vehicle.
“It’s a miracle no one’s got killed there yet,” Premock said.
He believes a more visible solution is needed—one that captures drivers’ attention well before they approach the low-clearance bridge.
“I suggest a large overhead site temporarily until they get the overpass built. They need some sort of a warning,” he added.
Lack of permits compounding the problem
According to TxDOT, many of the truck drivers involved in these bridge strikes also do not have the proper permits to be hauling oversized loads on this route.
Premock says that’s another major safety issue—one that’s hard to address without stopping every truck to verify permits.
KPRC 2 has reached out to TxDOT to ask whether any changes are being considered to improve signage or enforcement. As of now, the agency has not responded.
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