About Bridge strikes
A bridge strike is an incident in which a vehicle, it’s load, or equipment collides with a bridge. Most strikes occur when roads pass under railway bridges.
Preventing Bridge strikes
To prevent a bridge strike, a driver needs to prepare beforehand and should:
- Check the security and safety of the load
- Know the height and width of the cab
- Know the height and width of the trailer, its load and equipment
- Ensure the correct maximum height is displayed in the cab
- Know your route: use a LGV specific Sat Nav system; do not rely on Sat Navs for cars
- Obey the traffic signs
Remember: Your vehicle height can change, this can be due to adjustment of the 5th wheel, trailer loaded, unloaded, or reloaded.
Traffic Signs are provided at bridges to show maximum permitted vehicle height when the bridge is less than 16’-3’’ (4.96 metres)
- Red circles prohibit
- Red Triangles warn
In the event of you hitting a bridge, you should take the following steps:
- Report to the rail authority immediately so trains can be stopped from crossing the bridge. Do not wait until returning to the depot to report.
- Advise the police using 999.
- Report to both Employ Recruitment and the client
- Keep the public away and do not move your vehicle.
For any other bridge strike not involving a railway, follow steps 2 – 4.
Striking a bridge is both dangerous to you, other road and railways users, but also expensive due to the damage and delays caused.
Please plan your routes ahead, do your vehicles checks and always make sure you are aware of the height of your vehicle.
Further information on this can be found following this link: Prevention of bridge strikes – A good practice guide for professional drivers (publishing.service.gov.uk)
