‘Don’t be a Michael Scott’ and avoid getting Storrowed: Massachusetts DCR adds new ‘Cars Only’ sign ahead of move-in day

Will the state’s efforts to curb Storrowing actually work this move-in season?

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has been on a full-court press ahead of move-in day on Sept. 1 — trying to get the word out so people moving their couches and beds in U-Haul trucks don’t slam into low-clearance bridges and overpasses on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and Memorial Drive.

In addition to a funny social media campaign, DCR on Monday put up a new, more visible and durable “Cars Only” sign 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,” said 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 campaign includes a video of Michael Scott in the hit TV show “The Office” following his GPS and driving directly into a lake, a classic scene from the sitcom.

In DCR’s PSA video, DCR employee Ryan Hutton explains that Michael Scott (Steve Carell) blindly followed his GPS into the lake.

“Don’t be a Michael Scott,” said Hutton, who is DCR’s social media strategist, photographer and videographer. “Actually look for the low-clearance signs 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 sign that was put up on Monday is made of a yellow aluminum, high-visibility retroreflective sheet — which will make it more visible to drivers and reduce the likelihood of letters peeling off, especially during the winter, DCR said.

The sign also has an extra four inches of rubber hanging at the bottom, intended to provide a soft “first contact” for an over-height vehicle. Down the road, DCR will determine whether to add more of these signs or go with alternatives.