Understanding Bridge Strikes: Education and Prevention Tactics
Introduction
Bridge strikes are among the most preventable — yet alarmingly common — incidents involving heavy goods vehicles in the UK. According to Network Rail, there are over 1,500 bridge strikes every year, costing the UK taxpayer millions in damage repairs, delays, and disruption.
These incidents don’t just harm infrastructure — they pose a serious safety risk, damage reputations, and often result in costly investigations and penalties for operators.
Despite this, many bridge strikes are caused by basic human error, poor route planning, or inadequate driver awareness. The good news? With the right education and operational strategies, they can be avoided entirely.
This blog explores the causes, consequences and, most importantly, the practical steps HGV operators can take to reduce bridge strikes across their fleets.
What Is a Bridge Strike?
A bridge strike occurs when a vehicle — typically one too tall — attempts to pass under a bridge or structure with insufficient clearance, resulting in contact or collision.
In most cases, the issue is over-height HGVs striking railway bridges, often due to drivers misjudging their vehicle height or failing to notice warning signs.
Why Do Bridge Strikes Happen?
Despite clear signage and regulations, bridge strikes continue to occur for several reasons:
1. Lack of Driver Awareness
Drivers unfamiliar with a vehicle’s loaded height or temporary hire vehicles
Failure to check vehicle height post-loading
2. Poor Route Planning
Reliance on standard sat navs rather than HGV-specific navigation systems
Route changes due to traffic, diversions or unfamiliar delivery points
3. Inadequate Signage or Obscured Visibility
Dirty or hidden warning signs, especially in poor weather or lighting conditions
4. Time Pressure or Fatigue
Rushing to meet delivery schedules
Reduced attention or cognitive overload in long shifts
The Cost of a Bridge Strike
Bridge strikes carry serious consequences for drivers, operators, and infrastructure providers:
Safety risks to the public, rail passengers and drivers themselves
Damage to vehicles and infrastructure — often requiring emergency repairs
Fines, investigations and potential criminal charges for careless driving
Delays to rail services — with potential compensation costs to Network Rail
Reputation damage and loss of contracts or insurance penalties
In short, the cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of a strike.
How Operators Can Prevent Bridge Strikes
Preventing bridge strikes requires a combination of driver training, route management and technological support. Here’s how to build a prevention-first strategy:
1. Educate Drivers on Vehicle Heights
Make it standard practice for drivers to know their vehicle height at all times, including after loading.
Best practices:
Clearly display vehicle height inside the cab
Include vehicle height checks in daily walkarounds
Re-emphasise height awareness during induction and CPC training
Use toolbox talks or short refresher courses regularly
2. Use HGV-Specific Navigation Tools
Standard GPS units won’t account for bridge heights or weight restrictions. Invest in:
HGV-compliant sat navs
Route planning software that includes bridge data
Mobile apps with low bridge alerts (e.g. CoPilot Truck, TruckNav, or Google Maps with overlays)
These tools help drivers avoid risk-prone routes — especially in urban or unfamiliar areas.
3. Plan and Share Routes in Advance
Encourage route planning before the wheels move, particularly for larger or unfamiliar loads.
Tips:
Provide planned routes during job allocation
Share digital route info including known low bridge warnings
Use telematics to monitor and refine preferred routing over time
4. Install In-Cab Reminders and Signage
Visual prompts inside the vehicle can reinforce safety:
Stickers displaying height (both metric and imperial)
Reminders near the windscreen or dashboard
Audible alarms on approach to known low-clearance areas (where systems allow)
5. Report and Review Near Misses
Treat near misses seriously. Encourage drivers to report low clearance encounters so the route can be re-evaluated and lessons shared with the wider team.
Follow up with:
Safety reviews
Internal briefings
Route updates or signage recommendations
A proactive reporting culture helps reduce repeat incidents.
6. Liaise with Local Authorities and Network Rail
If your routes regularly pass near low bridges, reach out to local highways departments or Network Rail to:
Clarify signage responsibility
Report obscured or damaged signs
Suggest improvements to road layout or visibility
Operators have a role to play in making infrastructure safer for all road users.
Final Thoughts
Bridge strikes are avoidable — but only with intentional planning, driver training and organisational discipline. As an HGV operator, taking bridge strikes seriously means more than compliance. It means prioritising the safety of your drivers, the public, and your business.
By investing in height awareness, route planning tools, and a proactive reporting culture, you can significantly reduce the risk of strikes — and the costly consequences that come with them.
In an industry where margins are tight and reputations matter, avoiding one bridge strike can make all the difference. Prevention isn’t just smart — it’s essential.