How to beat bridge strikes
Martin Candish, head of compliance information at Logistics UK, says bridge strikes are dangerous, expensive and inconvenient – but also preventable
Recent media reports highlight the risk that bridge strikes pose to HGV drivers and other road users as well as disruption to the UK’s infrastructure, with Network Rail identifying Stuntney Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire as Britain’s “most bashed” bridge with 18 incidents recorded in 2023-24.
The rail body claims over 1,800 railway bridge strike incidents occur every year, almost five a day, costing the UK taxpayer around £23 million annually and causing significant disruption to road and rail traffic. Disappointingly, and despite the high degree of attention and publicity bridge strikes receive, they continue to be costly and time-consuming for many parts of the logistics sector.
Most are caused by operators of goods vehicles and buses, which also cause significant delays on commuter routes and in addition to cost and inconvenience, there is also the potential for bridge strikes to cause serious injury or death to drivers or other road and bridge users.
Operators need to do everything in their power to prevent bridge strikes from happening. To support best practice in this area, members of Logistics UK’s Waste Forum have come together to share experiences and key learnings. The result is a document which benefits all operators and not just those in the waste sector: Bridge Strikes – A Waste Sector Best Practice Guide.
The guide utilises operators’ insight and examines the psychology, behaviour and operational reality of both the vehicle and the driver to provide practical steps that can be taken to prevent bridge strikes. Simple things like knowing the vehicle’s height, following appropriate routes and adhering to bridge signs have a dramatic effect in reducing the potential for accidents and ensuring drivers have this information is a great place to start.
Vehicle height
The driver should always know the overall height and width of their vehicle which should be checked each time before commencing a journey. The overall height should match that displayed in the cab; any over-height warning device fitted should have its operation checked by the driver as part of their daily check. Drivers should have appropriate training and equipment to do this, for example, a height measuring pole, and drivers should feel empowered to challenge any discrepancies.
Route Planning
It is essential to use up-to-date commercial vehicle route planning software, satellite navigation equipment or atlases which account for height restrictions. The risk of bridge strike should be assessed using the correct vehicle width and height, with vehicle heights exceeding 4.95m and widths exceeding 2.9m needing special consideration.
Routes should be mapped in advance and contingency plans need to be factored in to work around possible incidents and road closures. Driver schedules also need to provide sufficient flexibility to ensure drivers do not suffer excessive pressure or fatigue which are likely to induce errors.
Bridge signs
Bridges less than 16’ 6” (5.03m) high will display height restriction signs in imperial and metric and drivers should be trained to recognise these signs and act on them. There are two types of signs: a triangle sign is a warning, and a round sign is an order. In both cases, if the vehicle is higher than the dimensions indicated the driver should not pass the sign.
Beware of complacency
It is said that ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ and performing regular height checks on the same vehicles can increase the risk of complacency – especially when the same measurement is recorded each time. In these situations, drivers do not seemingly receive any benefit from carrying out the task and may be tempted to omit it altogether.
When this is coupled with the common optimism bias that creates the impression ‘it won’t happen to me’, professional drivers are at higher risk of making errors of judgement. Operators need to be aware that this is a possibility and ensure they provide drivers with regular reminders of potential risks, through methods like toolbox talks, driver meetings, driving assessments and supervisory audits.
Prominent ‘Know your height’ signage at site exits is also another way of ensuring vehicle heights remain at the forefront of a driver’s mind.
Bridge strikes are preventable and to ensure operators stay compliant, Logistics UK offers a Driver CPC training module: Prevention of bridge strikes CPD. Members can also download a MAC Factsheet which explores the common causes of bridge strikes and ways to manage and prevent them from happening.
The Department for Transport also offers guidance for operators on how to prevent vehicles from hitting bridges.