A bridge strike occurs when a vehicle collides with a bridge, typically because the height or width of the vehicle exceeds the bridge's clearance. These incidents most commonly involve lorries and other large commercial vehicles. Despite seeming straightforward, bridge strikes can stem from various causes, such as driver error, lack of awareness about vehicle dimensions, inadequate route planning, or even signage that is unclear or misleading.

Understanding these causes is crucial for businesses operating within the road transport sector. A bridge strike can disrupt the involved vehicle's journey and the broader transport network, leading to delays, detours, and increased congestion. Such incidents can directly impact your business, leading to damaged goods, delayed deliveries, and dissatisfied customers.

Therefore, businesses must grasp the full scope of bridge strikes, identifying the common pitfalls that lead to these incidents and recognising their potential ripple effects on operations and service delivery. By doing so, businesses can prioritise preventive strategies, ensuring smoother, safer, and more reliable transport operations.

In the following blog post, we explain the consequences of bridge strikes and how support from a solicitor can help your business manage the legal considerations relating to bridge strikes.

The Consequences of Bridge Strikes

A wide range of consequences may apply to a situation and impact a road transport business, both in the short and long term. These include:

• Physical and financial damages: the most immediate consequence of a bridge strike is the physical damage to the vehicle and the bridge. This can lead to costly repairs and maintenance for both the transport business and local authorities, or rail operators and train services if the damage is to a railway bridge. Additionally, there can be significant financial losses from disrupted operations, such as delayed deliveries and damaged goods, which can strain customer relationships and contracts.
• Legal repercussions for businesses: beyond the immediate financial toll, bridge strikes can lead to severe legal consequences for businesses. These incidents can result in prosecutions and hefty fines, especially if negligence or breaches of transport regulations are found. Furthermore, companies may face increased insurance premiums and potential legal actions from third parties affected by the incident.
• Impact on business reputation and operations: perhaps one of the most long-lasting impacts of a bridge strike is on a business’s reputation. Incidents like these can signal to customers and partners a lack of diligence or professionalism, potentially leading to a loss of business. Additionally, operational disruptions can strain internal resources, diverting attention from growth opportunities to crisis management.
• Regulatory action: drivers and operators may face regulatory action from the Traffic Commissioner. Drivers will be called to a driver conduct hearing where they could have their licence suspended or revoked. Operators and Transport Managers may be called to a Preliminary Hearing or Public Inquiry, where action can be taken against their reputation or the operator’s licence.

The collective impact of these consequences underlines the importance of taking bridge strikes seriously and implementing measures to prevent them. Businesses must recognise the multifaceted risks involved and the extensive damage that can be caused to their finances, legal standing, and reputation.

Preventing Bridge Strikes

Preventing bridge strikes will maintain the safety, efficiency and reputation of road transport businesses. There are several strategies businesses can employ to minimise the risk of these incidents:

• Training and awareness for drivers: regular training sessions can help ensure that drivers know the risks associated with low bridges and understand how to avoid them. This includes training on vehicle height awareness, route planning, and adhering to road signs.
• Implementing safety measures and technology: solutions such as vehicle-mounted height sensors, GPS systems with low-bridge alerts, and in-cab bridge height warning systems can alert drivers to potential hazards in real time. Additionally, investing in route planning software helps ensure drivers follow the safest and most appropriate routes for their vehicle's dimensions.
• Regular vehicle and route assessments: operators should conduct regular checks to ensure that all vehicles are correctly marked with their height and that this information is readily available to drivers. Regular route assessments can also identify potential risks and ensure that any changes to routes or vehicle assignments are communicated effectively to drivers.
• Planning of routes – so far as is possible, routes ought to be preplanned by the Operator and/or the driver is given access to planning software (such as HGV/PSV satellite navigations systems) that takes into account the actual vehicle dimensions and road conditions.

By prioritising these preventive measures, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of bridge strikes, thereby safeguarding their operations, assets, and reputation. Implementing a culture of safety and continuous improvement will not only protect against bridge strikes but also contribute to the overall efficiency and reliability of road transport operations.

What to Do if a Driver Experiences a Bridge Strike

When a bridge strike occurs, business operators must act quickly and efficiently to mitigate the potential impacts and legal implications. You should:

1. Ensure immediate reporting and documentation: instruct the involved driver to report the incident to local authorities and ensure they secure the scene safely. From an administrative perspective, gather all incident-related information, including the exact location, time, and details of the bridge strike. Compile comprehensive documentation, which includes driver reports, vehicle details, and photographic evidence of the scene and any damages.
2. Communicate with relevant authorities and parties: as a business operator, it is your responsibility to file all necessary external reports. This includes reporting the incident to the local council, Traffic Commissioner, and the bridge owner, if applicable. Ensure that these communications are documented and filed for record-keeping and legal purposes.
3. Contact your insurance company: provide your insurance company with detailed documentation and cooperate fully to facilitate the claims process. Understand your policy coverage and work with your insurance company to assess and address the damages.
4. Conduct an internal review: undertake a thorough internal investigation to understand the root causes of the incident. Review the driver’s route planning, the vehicle's suitability and condition, and the existing safety measures and training programs. This review should identify any operational failings or compliance issues that need addressing.
5. Review and update policies and procedures: based on the insights from the internal review and legal advice, update your safety protocols, training programs, and route planning procedures. Implement necessary changes to prevent future incidents and enhance overall safety and compliance.
6. Seek professional legal advice: consult with a road transport law specialist, such as JMW Solicitors, to understand the legal ramifications and to receive guidance on handling potential investigations, prosecutions, or claims. Professional legal advice is crucial when facing road transport regulations, and to protect your business’s interests. Most bridge strike incidents ultimately lead to the driver and the operator being called before the Traffic Commissioner for the consideration of regulatory action being taken. The depth and thoroughness of your notification of the incident and investigation, can avoid such scrutiny by the Commissioner. 

By following these steps, business operators can manage the situation effectively, minimise the impact of a bridge strike, and reinforce the safety and compliance frameworks within their road transport operations.