NEW BEDFORD — A driver apparently trying to make it across the New Bedford/Fairhaven Bridge before the traffic arms closed found out the hard way that it wasn't a good idea.

Witnesses at the scene say the man traveling west from Fairhaven into New Bedford tried to rush across the bridge before it closed to motor vehicle traffic at about 9 a.m. on Friday. However, the traffic arm came down too quickly for the man's car, smashing into his windshield.

Video taken immediately after the incident shows MassDOT workers removing a piece of the arm that had broken off during the collision. The windshield of the man's car suffered significant damage.

New Bedford Police responded to the crash.

It's not clear if any charges will be filed against the driver.

Repairs to the traffic arm on the east side of the bridge are being made.

Bridge Crash

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