Play your part and reduce the risk of bridge strikes
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Destination Zero
Bridge Strikes
Road Transport Expo is keen to support all vehicle operators and drivers to help them prevent Bridge Strikes.
At Road Transport Expo 2024 we are delighted to support the launch of the Destination Zero Bridge Strikes national campaign with Road Skills Online.
Network Rail reported that between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023 there were 5029 bridge strikes across the national network.
In 2021 the Metropolitan Police alone prosecuted 14 drivers who committed a Bridge Strike.
In many cases Operators were called to a Public Inquiry. Every operator was called to a Preliminary Hearing at which they had an opportunity to show they had done everything that could be done to avoid a bridge strike including a thorough and regular training programme for drivers.
On average, following conviction a driver received 5 penalty points and received £600 in fines.
The drivers were also referred to the Traffic Commissioner as part of a driver conduct hearing. Many drivers had their vocational licence revoked by the Traffic Commissioner for periods from 2 months to as much as 9 months.
Are you doing everything that can be done to avoid a bridge strike?
We are inviting you to join us in the Destination Xero Bridge Strikes campaign. Start here to protect your O Licence and your drivers’ livelihood
HOW A BRIDGE STRIKE IMPACTS YOU AND YOUR DRIVERS
- Drivers can expect to be called before a public hearing and may face a period of suspension
- If the Traffic Commissioner believes the bridge strike is due to negligence or inadequate training, owners and transport managers may be summoned too
- For serious transgressions, your Operator Licence could be revoked
- The police will prosecute your driver for the Bridge Strike offence which could mean losing a driver
Playing our part to reduce the risk of bridge strikes
To play our part in the campaign to reduce the number of bridge strikes, we’re offering our ‘bridge strike’ e-learning toolbox talk to you free of charge – here’s how to get it:
- Complete the online form below
- We’ll be in touch to get you started
- Your drivers go online and view the e-learning at a time convenient to them
