Bridge Strikes
Vehicles colliding with bridges is a highly concerning issue regardless of the type of bridge that is involved in an incident. Strikes can involve low bridges with pedestrian footpaths, arch bridges and railway bridges managed by Network Rail, and have different consequences in each case.
Operators are obliged to ensure vehicles are operated without unacceptable risks to road safety. Failure to adhere to this could result in an operator being called to a public inquiry with the risk of regulatory action against the Operator’s Licence, a transport manager losing good repute, and/or a driver facing action against their vocational driving entitlement at a driver conduct hearing.
To speak to a solicitor for specialist legal advice on a matter involving a bridge strike, contact JMW today by calling 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will give you a call back at a convenient time.
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How JMW Can Help
If one of your vehicles has been involved in a bridge strike incident, you and your business are likely to face scrutiny from the Traffic Commissioner, who will want to explore your systems for preventing bridge strikes involving your vehicles.
Our solicitors can provide expert advice and representation during any part of the process. This includes:
- Advising you in respect of appropriate systems and procedures for preventing bridge strikes involving your vehicles.
- Training your staff on bridge strike prevention.
- Assisting with notifications of any bridge strikes involving your vehicles to the Traffic Commissioner.
- Guiding you through the investigation process.
- Representing you or your drivers during any interviews under caution
- Helping you to put effective policies and procedures in place to prevent future bridge strikes.
- Representing operators at Public Inquiries or Preliminary Hearings.
- Representing drivers at Driver Conduct Hearings.
- Representing operators and/or drivers in connection with any criminal prosecutions arising as a result of a bridge strike.
What Is a Bridge Strike?
A bridge strike occurs when a vehicle collides with a bridge, typically because it exceeds the structure's maximum height clearance. This type of incident most commonly involves commercial vehicles, such as lorries and double-decker buses, but can also affect other tall vehicles that fail to comply with height restrictions. Bridge strikes are a significant concern within the UK due to their potential to cause substantial damage to infrastructure, disrupt traffic and rail services, and pose serious safety risks.
Bridge strike incidents can compromise the structural integrity of bridges, necessitating costly and time-consuming repairs and potentially leading to long-term closures. Beyond the immediate risk to the driver and passengers, bridge strikes can also endanger other road users and, in the case of railway bridges, rail passengers and staff.
Understanding what constitutes a bridge strike and recognising the importance of prevention are key responsibilities for all professional drivers and operators. You can learn more about bridge strikes, and the considerations involved, by consulting the following resources:
- The official government guidance on preventing bridge strikes
- September 2020 correspondence from the Senior Traffic Commissioner to all operators
What are an Operator’s Responsibilities Regarding Bridge Strikes?
If you are an HGV operator with vehicles pulling loads of variable heights, or are in charge of a fleet of large passenger vehicles like double-decker buses, it is important that your drivers are trained and aware of low bridges located on or near to their routes. Lorry drivers should be aware of how to use equipment such as height sticks and in-cab height indicators. It is also vital that your business has a strict policy regarding sat nav use, as well as a planning system that accounts for and considers the presence of low bridges. These are all measures that Traffic Commissioners will want to see in place when they are exploring the cause and response to a bridge strike.
PSV operators running buses must communicate routes effectively with drivers, particularly where they are running a service they are unfamiliar with, or in replacement vehicles that have a different height to their usual vehicle (e.g., a double-decker where they are accustomed to a single decker). It is not unheard of for bus drivers to accidentally take an alternative route in a double-decker bus and find themselves colliding with a low bridge, causing both serious harm and damage.
What Is the Penalty for Hitting a Bridge?
The penalty for hitting a bridge in the UK can vary depending on several factors, including the extent of the damage caused, the driver’s adherence to road regulations, and whether negligence can be established.
When bridge strikes happen, the consequences for the operator can be significant, including:
- Financial cost: drivers or the transport companies they represent can face significant financial cost if they are found responsible for a bridge strike. These costs are typically claims to cover the costs of repairs, traffic disruption, and any required safety assessments. The exact amount can vary greatly depending on the severity of the incident and the specific terms of insurance policies.
- Legal consequences: if a driver is found to have neglected height warnings or road signs, they may face legal action for dangerous or careless driving. This can result in fines, penalty points on the driver’s licence, or even a driving ban in severe cases.
- Regulatory action: for professional drivers and transport companies, a bridge strike can lead to regulatory action from the traffic commissioner. This may include suspension, or even revocation, of drivers’ vocational driving entitlements at a driver conduct hearing, and regulatory action against the Operator’s Licence at a public inquiry.
However, these direct consequences are not the only negative consequences of a bridge strike, which can also include:
- Direct danger to personal safety: bridge strikes are often serious collisions, and can pose a risk of injury or even death to the driver, passengers and other road users, or rail users if a rail bridge is seriously damaged.
- Insurance implications: a bridge strike can significantly affect insurance premiums and coverage. Operators may find their insurance costs increase or face difficulties obtaining coverage in the future. In some cases, insurance may not cover all costs associated with the strike, leading to substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
- Reputational damage: companies involved in bridge strikes can suffer reputational damage, which impacts customer trust and business opportunities. This intangible cost can be significant and long-lasting.
- Operational disruptions: aside from immediate penalties, bridge strikes can cause considerable operational disruption. Vehicles may be taken out of service for repairs, and routes may need to be altered, leading to delays and additional costs.
Professional drivers and transport managers must understand the serious implications of bridge strikes and take all possible measures to avoid them.
FAQs About Bridge Strikes
Who do you report a bridge strike to?
Bridge strikes should immediately be reported to the police, as well as to Network Rail if rail bridges are involved. If a bridge has an identification plate attached to it with a telephone number, you should call that number to be taken to the regional railway control centre. In any event, the strike should be reported to the police by calling 999.
If the bridge strike involves a coach or a bus, a notification should be made to DVSA using the PSV112 form, and if you are an Earned Recognition operator, a notification should be made to DVSA using the ER112 form.
Operators are also expected to notify the Traffic Commissioner of any bridge strike involving their vehicles, as a bridge strike is considered a matter that may affect the operator’s good repute.
What should I do if I hit a bridge with my vehicle?
If your vehicle strikes a railway bridge, you must report the bridge strike immediately to Network Rail by calling the number on the identification plate fixed to the bridge.
If possible, provide the following information when making a report:
- The date and time of the incident
- Bridge identification or location
- Whether the bridge is over the road or railway
- Any known hazards or if people are at risk of injury
- Whether the vehicle is wedged underneath the bridge
What happens after a bridge strike has been reported?
Once a bridge strike has been reported to Network Rail and/or the police, train movements may be stopped until the bridge is examined and any necessary actions to maintain safety have been taken. Actions can include the following:
- Removing a wedged vehicle from underneath the bridge and stopping train movement until the vehicle is removed
- If the integrity of the bridge has been compromised, authorities may need to repair the bridge, close the road and stop rail services until further notice
- If the integrity of the bridge has not been compromised, returning train services to normal
When train movements have been stopped, they can only restart if the following conditions are met:
- A Bridge Strike Nominee authorises train movements
- The condition of the bridge is safe to carry trains/vehicles/pedestrians or allow them to pass under
- The repairs have been completed and the risk has been removed
Following a bridge strike, National Highways or a local road authority will review whether any improvements need to be made in the area, including new road traffic signs and the removal of obstructions in front of existing signs.
What happens during a public inquiry or preliminary hearing following a bridge strike?
A public inquiry or preliminary hearing following a bridge strike is a serious matter. Where necessary, an inquiry will be initiated by the traffic commissioners to explore the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the appropriate action against the Operator’s Licence, transport operator or driver involved.
The transport operator involved in the bridge strike will receive a notification from the traffic commissioner's office outlining the details of the public inquiry or preliminary hearing, including the date, time, location, and specific issues to be addressed. The operator must compile all relevant evidence related to the bridge strike incident, including vehicle maintenance records, driver training documents, route planning records, and any measures taken to prevent bridge strikes. The operator may also prepare witness statements or expert testimonies to support their case.
During the public inquiry or preliminary hearing, the traffic commissioner will examine the facts of the bridge strike. This involves reviewing the operator’s compliance with transportation regulations, the specific circumstances of the incident, and any contributing factors such as driver error or negligence.
After reviewing the evidence and hearing the operator’s case, the traffic commissioner will decide whether to take any action, and the outcome will be formally communicated to the transport operator. It will also be made public in most cases. Following the public inquiry, the transport operator must comply with any undertakings issued by the traffic commissioner to avoid further regulatory action, and to ensure the safety and integrity of future transport operations.
Talk to Us
Speak to the road transport solicitors at JMW today to find out more about how we can help you and your business in relation to bridge strikes. Simply call us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will give you a call back at a convenient time.
