The Senior Traffic Commissioner highlights the ongoing issue of bridge strikes involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
- Bridge strikes by HGVs remain a serious concern despite a decrease in incidents over recent years.
- Operators face significant penalties, including potential license revocation, if involved in bridge strike incidents.
- HGV drivers and operators are urged to measure vehicle height and adopt risk assessment training.
- A coordinated campaign involving rail companies and councils aims to educate and prevent future occurrences.
The issue of bridge strikes, particularly involving heavy goods vehicles, continues to be a poignant challenge within the transport industry. The Senior Traffic Commissioner has reiterated that despite a reduction in the number of incidents, the problem persists as a serious concern. This has led to advice being made available on the Traffic Commissioners’ website to aid operators in avoiding such strikes.
Historically, the surge in bridge strikes led to the Commissioner writing to hauliers, reminding them of the severe consequences if reported. Operators found liable often face a preliminary hearing to demonstrate their preventative measures, which include but are not limited to, regular training for their drivers. Should an operator fail to prove sufficient preventative action, they risk license revocation.
From an individual driver’s perspective, involvement in a bridge strike could result in the imposition of substantial penalties, such as five penalty points and fines amounting to approximately £600. Moreover, East Midlands Railway and other organisations have stressed the importance of knowing vehicle height as part of preventative measures, highlighting the 54 strikes witnessed on their network in a single year.
Recent incidents, such as a bridge strike in Wandsworth that led to road closures, underscore the imperative for comprehensive training and forward planning. The statement from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner emphasised that the cost of bridge strikes is significant monetarily and in terms of safety. Therefore, they advocate for basic risk assessment training for both operators and drivers.
Contributors to this campaign include network rail companies and councils, who are actively engaged in distributing practical guidance. The introduction of potential funding through an HGV levy has been suggested, earmarking these funds specifically for bridging strike prevention, a move supported by the RHA, which seeks transparency on its collection and allocation.
Effective mitigation strategies and thorough training remain critical to reducing bridge strike incidents and ensuring road safety.
