Prevention of bridge strikes: A good practice guide for professional drivers

Who wrote this?

This guide was written by a working group consisting of:

• Network Rail
• Department for Transport
• Heavy Transport Association
• National Farmers Union
• National Express
• Road Haulage Association
• Construction Plant-hire Association
• Unite
• Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS)
• Associations of Chief Police Officers

When?

It was first published in April 2012.

Why?

To prevent freight vehicles hitting bridges, raise awareness of bridge strikes, and decrease bridge failure and maintenance.

Prevention of bridge strikes series

This is part of a series of documents to avoid bridge strikes. Also in the series:

Prevention of strikes on bridges over highways: A protocol for highway managers & bridge owners

Prevention of bridge strikes: A good practice guide for professional drivers

Prevention of bridge strikes: A good practice guide for passenger transport operational staff

Prevention of bridge strikes: A good practice guide for professional drivers of passenger vehicles

Who should read this?

Anyone who is a professional driver on UK roads.

Content

This 8-page booklet gives advice on the risks and consequences of bridge strikes.

It covers:

• What is a bridge strike
• Drivers' responsibilities
• Checks before a journey
• Drivers' actions when driving
• Traffic signs at bridges
• What action should be taken if a bridge strike occurs
• What are the consequences of a bridge strike on the railway, on other road users, on you, and on your employer

For more information and questions, please contact [email protected].