The memory of the Florida International University (FIU) pedestrian bridge collapse on March 15, 2018, still lingers heavily over Miami.
Despite the passage of time, the collective trauma continues to influence the actions of drivers in the area. Many choose to steer clear of stopping beneath the newly constructed bridge and advise others to do the same.
Content creator Sanzalo shared a video on Instagram as he traveled through the site of the 2018 bridge collapse, a tragedy that claimed six lives.
Filming from his motorcycle, he captures how motorists and bikers wait patiently for their turn to proceed, yet none pause beneath the structure.
Only one vehicle remained briefly parked, prompting Sanzalo to humorously warn, "Look at how nobody stops under the bridge, people are terrified of it... There's one guy just hanging around. Don't park under the bridge, it's bad luck in Miami. Alabao!"
He further urges his followers, "Don't stay under there, not even on a dare."
A Persistent Fear
Reactions to the video affirm that this fear is widespread. Several users described the collapse as an unforgettable event.
"The most traumatic day in our history. Too much pain. We still feel it when we talk about that moment," one person commented.
Another user claimed that the habit of not stopping under the bridge "will last 100 years," followed by accounts from individuals who didn't experience the tragedy firsthand but share the same fear: "I hadn't even arrived in the United States at that time, and I feel it too."
Some recounted personal experiences that are hard to shake off.
One woman mentioned she drove under the bridge just four minutes before it collapsed and confessed she still avoids stopping beneath any similar structure: "I get honked at a lot, and it terrifies me."
Another person added that whenever passing through the area, they offer a prayer for the victims.
Others speculated that the lone car parked under the bridge in the video was unaware of the past event: "The one down there doesn't know what happened" or "That must be a newcomer," they joked amid warnings.
An Emotional Scar That Lingers
The disaster was linked to design flaws, inadequate reviews, and structural failures, as confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The emotional impact of the catastrophe remains significant.
One user recalled being near the scene and questioned why, just like then, "they continue building the bridge without closing the street," emphasizing that if the area had been shut down in 2018, lives might have been saved.
The fatalities, the accounts of those who narrowly escaped death, and the enduring image of cars crushed beneath tons of concrete sustain an urban trauma that has become embedded in Miami's driving culture.
Today, what might seem like superstition is more an act of fear and memory, as drivers consciously avoid stopping under the bridge.
Even though the structure has been rebuilt and traffic flows again, the fear has not been reconstructed.
Understanding the FIU Bridge Collapse Impact
What happened at the FIU bridge in 2018?
The FIU pedestrian bridge collapsed on March 15, 2018, resulting in six fatalities. The disaster was attributed to design flaws, insufficient review processes, and structural failures.
Why do drivers avoid stopping under the new FIU bridge?
Drivers avoid stopping under the new bridge largely due to the lingering emotional trauma and fear associated with the 2018 collapse, turning this cautionary act into a part of Miami's driving culture.
How has the bridge collapse affected Miami's culture?
The bridge collapse has deeply impacted Miami's culture, embedding a sense of fear and caution among drivers, and serving as a constant reminder of the tragedy through the collective memory of the city's residents.