# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 31, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945 "2021-01-31T21:25:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 138
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2750 "2022-03-08T19:20:38Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Why not just go low-tech and install sturdy bars 40’ before the bridge to shave off overheight loads? I can understand the concern where the bridge is directly on a side road - where there might not be enough room to give warning to someone who has turned onto the road. But … > **[Tell-tale (bridges)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell-tale_(bridges))** > > A tell-tale, also known as a bridge warning, is a series of ropes suspended over railway tracks to give warning to the engineer, and more importantly the brakeman who may be scampering across the tops of the cars, that the train is approaching a low-clearance obstacle, such as a tunnel or a bridge. In the US, a standard tell-tale design had ropes on 3 in (7.6 cm) centers for a width of 8 ft (2.4 m) over the track, the bottom of the ropes 6 in (15 cm) lower than the height of the obstructio Tell-... “Tell-tales are also used to warn trucks and other tall vehicles of low-clearance bridges on roads and highways. In this context, chains are used instead of ropes, and it is frequently the sound of the chains knocking against the truck that alerts the driver of trouble.” ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2751 "2022-03-08T19:35:29Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Why not just go low-tech and install sturdy bars 40’ before the bridge to shave off overheight loads? They basically did this as well. The vehicles are actually hitting the ‘crash bar’ not the bridge. Thus, the bridge itself remains protected. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2752 "2022-03-08T19:50:34Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > The vehicles are actually hitting the ‘crash bar’ not the bridge And providing the rest of us with countless hours of amusement! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2753 "2022-03-08T19:56:25Z")
I remember a story about a truck that got stuck in a tunnel that it was supposed to be able to get through. Turned out the road had been paved since the clearance numbers had been published. Naturally, it was an 8y/o child who got the truck out of the tunnel, by telling them to deflate the tires. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2754 "2022-03-08T20:10:58Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > They basically did this as well. The vehicles are actually hitting the ‘crash bar’ not the bridge. Thus, the bridge itself remains protected. And the crash bar peels tops and pops off RV air conditioners just fine, hence the nickname “Canopener.” The owner of the site has a second floor office or apartment in the building across the street which is where one of the [YouTube camera](https://www.youtube.com/c/yovo68/videos) is located. Sometimes he manages to collect the smaller dynamically altered bits to [sell](https://11foot8-dot-com.square.site/#TtkObE) on the website. > [@eschereal](#): > > Naturally, it was an 8y/o child who got the truck out of the tunnel, by telling them to deflate the tires. In a reversal there’s a story about a four-year old locked in a car with the keys. The owner and passersby are contemplating which window to smash when a gaffer steps up, leans over, and silently mouths words through the glass. The kid rolls the window down. “What?” “I said, roll the window down, darling.” ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2755 "2022-03-08T20:13:41Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > There’s a 10 foot 6 bridge in Massachusetts: In that article’s video, the second half of the video shows a truck catching on fire. I’m really curious what was in that truck which combusted. That was a huge fire! (It also seemed like the driver sure took his time getting out of the cab.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2756 "2022-03-08T20:14:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > (It also seemed like the driver sure took his time getting out of the cab.) - Likely dazed or even in shock. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2757 "2022-03-08T20:16:00Z")
Good point. Also, I noticed that he didn’t get out of the vehicle until the cops arrived. I wonder if they instructed him to get out, for his own safety. Then again, at one point two cops had to escort him away to safety. That was after a while had passed. I’d think that if he was a dazed or in shock, it would have either worn off by then or he’d have been off somewhere sitting. Possibly he’s just not too bright. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2758 "2022-03-08T20:23:47Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > In that article’s video, the second half of the video shows a truck catching on fire. I’m really curious what was in that truck which combusted. That was a huge fire! I googled the police statement and found this: [the initial fire was in an AC compressor.](https://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/01/truck-crashes-into-mbta-rail-bridge-in-westwood-catches-fire/) I think that’s in reference to the truck’s refrigeration unit, [which can be quite flammable.](https://sciencing.com/refrigerants-flammable-8573450.html) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2759 "2022-03-08T20:29:11Z")
Thank you for the info. 👍 That makes sense. I had assumed it was the contents of the back, but that is a very sensible explanation, especially since it would definitely have impacted the overpass in the collision. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2760 "2022-03-08T20:35:16Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I noticed that he didn’t get out of the vehicle until the cops arrived. I wonder if they instructed him to get out, for his own safety He was probably just trying to get that last boilermaker properly metabolized first. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2761 "2022-03-08T20:36:44Z")
Very good theory. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2762 "2022-03-08T20:38:31Z")
Something like this story > **[This Lesson Really Stings, Part 3](https://notalwaysright.com/this-lesson-really-stings-part-3/233328/)** > > Inspector: “Man, \[Father-In-Law\], you did a number on that old bridge. I am awfully sorry, but I am going to have to hit you with a number of fines and this could affect your license.” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2763 "2022-03-08T20:51:52Z")
There was also the I-5 Skagit River bridge incident, which was rather high profile as that is kind of a busy road. The bridge superstructure arches across the roadway – not a lot, only 2 or 3 feet, but the difference was enough that the load would have cleared with room to spare had the truck been in the left lane. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2764 "2022-03-08T21:08:34Z")
And, of course, this famous incident… > _Right in the middle of the whole damn show_ > _Was a real nice tunnel_ > _Now wouldn’t you know_ > _Sign says clearance to the 12-foot line_ > _But the chickens was stacked to 13-nine_ > _Well we shot that tunnel at a hundred-and-ten_ > _Like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen_ > _We took that top row of chickens off_ > _Slicker than scum off a Louisiana swamp_ [C.W. McCall - Wolf Creek Pass - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LzWZYWpOU) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2022, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2765 "2022-03-08T23:50:49Z")
_Woke up the chickens_ ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2766 "2022-03-09T00:12:51Z")
One of the problems is that the bridge is very close to a 4-way intersection. The other, I _think_, is that one of the roads is one-way (but I’m not certain of this). And, of course, you get people who are so busy trying to beat the traffic light that they completely ignore the signs and signals. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2767 "2022-03-09T01:41:06Z")
Near my apartment is one of those crash bars. Last year, a truck driver hit the thing. The top of the bar somehow ended up going through the back window of the cab, narrowly missing the driver’s head. The guy could’ve been killed. I get that it’s stupid to ignore all the nifty warnings, but not amusing–those things can be dangerous. Heck, it could’ve hit a pedestrian and taken them out, too. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2768 "2022-03-09T15:03:16Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > In that article’s video, the second half of the video shows a truck catching on fire. I’m really curious what was in that truck which combusted. That was a huge fire! Did you see the fire truck that responded? Earlier in the video a fire truck tried to go under the same bridge and crashed. How would a fire truck, that has probably responded to this bridge multiple times, pull that fucking boner move itself? ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/2769 "2022-03-09T15:07:33Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Naturally, it was an 8y/o child who got the truck out of the tunnel, by telling them to deflate the tires. Interesting! I remember reading about that solution from one of the Encyclopedia Brown books back when I was in fourth grade. I wonder if that’s where this 8-year-old got the answer from, too! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945.md?page=137) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945.md?page=139)