A new campaign is aiming to tackle the persistent issue of bridge strikes by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) across the UK. With a staggering 5,029 incidents reported between April 2020 and March 2023, Road Skills Online seeks to galvanize hauliers to join this critical initiative.
- The campaign, named Destination Zero Bridge Strikes, will officially launch at the Road Transport Expo (RTX) next month in Warwickshire.
- East Midlands Railway highlighted 54 bridge strikes within its network last year, emphasising the need for drivers to be aware of vehicle heights.
- Legal repercussions of bridge strikes can be severe, with drivers facing fines and penalty points, while companies risk losing their operating licences.
- The consultancy offers a complimentary e-learning toolbox to help operators prevent such incidents.
In response to a concerning number of bridge strikes, totalling over 5,000 incidents across the national network within a three-year span, a focused campaign has been initiated to mitigate this issue. The consultancy Road Skills Online recognises the grave risks such incidents pose not only to infrastructure but also to the livelihoods of operators and drivers.
Set to launch at the Road Transport Expo (RTX) at NAEC Stoneleigh, the ‘Destination Zero Bridge Strikes’ campaign is positioning itself as a pivotal moment for addressing these recurring incidents. Hauliers attending the expo are encouraged to engage with the initiative and explore signing up at the event’s dedicated stand, underscoring the campaign’s proactive outreach strategy.
The alert to the community is underscored by data such as the 54 bridge strikes occurring within the East Midlands Railway network in just one year. This underscores the significant safety risks and potential disruptions these occurrences cause to the rail services.
Legal implications are substantial; hauliers and drivers may find themselves called before a traffic commissioner following a bridge strike. Penalties can be severe, including fines averaging £600 and five penalty points. Furthermore, driver’s vocational licences risk suspension for extensive periods, from two to nine months, raising substantial concerns within the industry.
To support hauliers in combating this issue, Road Skills Online extends a ‘bridge strike e-learning toolbox’ to operators at no cost. This resource serves as an educational measure to enhance drivers’ awareness of vehicle dimensions and prevent costly errors.
The Road Haulage Association has further stressed the necessity of utilising funds from the HGV levy to support infrastructure improvements like bridge strike signage, reflecting the broader industry demand for transparency and accountability in financial allocations.
The drive to eliminate bridge strikes is a crucial step for safety and operational reliability within the transport industry.
