Britain's "most bashed bridge": the risks for commercial vehicle operators

The most “bashed bridge in Britain” is apparently on the A5 Watling Street, near Hinckley according to BBC news. The vast majority of vehicles that collide with bridges are commercial vehicles, either double-decker buses or HGVs. The responsibility for ensuring safety lies not only with the drivers of the vehicles concerned but also the operators of the vehicles.

The Traffic Commissioners (who regulate commercial vehicle operation through the Operator Licensing scheme) will expect any operator to have measures in place to ensure that the risk of bridge strike is minimised. This includes ensuring that drivers have had appropriate training, including refresher training, and that they have tools available to enable them to be sure of the height of their vehicle. 

Bespoke route planning can also be a useful tool to avoid collisions but this is not always possible where there are multiple deliveries. In those cases drivers need to be mindful that a car Sat Nav is not a substitute for an HGV Sat Nav which allows you to enter the dimensions of your vehicle and load. The outcome for operators who have failed to take proactive steps to avoid bridge strikes can mean the loss of their licence. The outcome for other road users can be far more catastrophic.