Bridge Strike at Machynlleth (01/09)

[swt_passenger]

It was overheight, I think - the lorry and JCB were passing under the footbridge, not over it.

Autocorrect sorry, I’ll fix it. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Cletus]

Here's the report of the M20 crash / court case.

Trucker who destroyed M20 bridge admits causing injury

A lorry driver who caused damage worth £1.5 million when he smashed into a motorway bridge avoided going to jail.

www.kentonline.co.uk

 

[Watershed]

I presume all those baying for the lorry driver’s blood in the form of license revocation, cost recovery or even more will be equally vociferous in demanding severe sanctions next time a train driver SPADs or runs through buffer stops.

SPADs on the railway are treated a million times more seriously than vehicles running through red lights.

A buffer stop collision is likely to result in a meeting with tea and no biscuits, to say the least, unless it was outside the control of the driver (e.g. brake failure).

 

[Falcon1200]

I presume all those baying for the lorry driver’s blood in the form of license revocation, cost recovery or even more will be equally vociferous in demanding severe sanctions next time a train driver SPADs or runs through buffer stops.

The railway has systems in place to prevent, or at least considerably ameliorate, the results of such incidents, and a train driver will not be able to continue after such an incident without reporting it, hoping no-one noticed. And there will of course be serious consequences for the train driver.

Regarding the alleged 'vitriol' against and 'baying for blood' of the lorry driver here and at Plymouth, perhaps it is because had circumstances been slightly different, at Plymouth at least, the results could have been an express passenger train derailed at line speed with multiple casualties if not fatalities, therefore demanding severe sanctions is hardly surprising. Given the daily toll of bridge strikes current sanctions against lorry drivers and their employers do not seem to be having much effect, after all.

 

[chesterred16]

Given the daily toll of bridge strikes current sanctions against lorry drivers and their employers do not seem to be having much effect, after all.

I'd disagree with that - given the large numbers of trucks on the road, and the low number of bridge strikes, I'd say that a huge percentage of drivers are driving correctly and within the laws and regulations

 

[The exile]

I'd disagree with that - given the large numbers of trucks on the road, and the low number of bridge strikes, I'd say that a huge percentage of drivers are driving correctly and within the laws and regulations

More to the point is surely that most HGV journeys don’t involve a route with a low bridge / narrow road / tight bend etc. The number of HGVs on routes that contain such obstacles should be precisely zero. It quite clearly isn’t.

 

[Robertj21a]

I'd disagree with that - given the large numbers of trucks on the road, and the low number of bridge strikes, I'd say that a huge percentage of drivers are driving correctly and within the laws and regulations

Absolutely. A truck driver has to steer, and start/stop all the time - it's hardly like being on rails and controlled by a signalman !!

 

[Falcon1200]

I'd disagree with that - given the large numbers of trucks on the road, and the low number of bridge strikes, I'd say that a huge percentage of drivers are driving correctly and within the laws and regulations

Low number of bridge strikes - Seriously ? In 2019, despite all the warning signage in place, there were 1787 on Network Rail, and those were just the ones known about. I would say that is a shocking indictment of mainly (because other vehicles also strike railway bridges) the road haulage industry.

 

[Loppylugs]

More to the point is surely that most HGV journeys don’t involve a route with a low bridge / narrow road / tight bend etc. The number of HGVs on routes that contain such obstacles should be precisely zero. It quite clearly isn’t.

I drove class 1 vehicles for over twenty years. So what do you think happens when roads are closed for repairs etc. and diversions put in place ? Some roads are closed overnight for maintenance. Drivers far from home would not have knowledge of the alternative route. Warning signs for low bridges are never signposted far enough from the bridge itself. Turning a 44ft. long trailer around on a minor road is not easy! Car transporters are not allowed onto minor roads because of overhanging branches scratching the cars. All very complex.

 

[Falcon1200]

Perhaps road hauliers could invest in a copy of Phillips 'Truckers Road Atlas' for each of their drivers, £13.59 from WH Smith (other retailers are available). As the blurb says:

'PHILIP'S - THE ATLAS BRAND FOR TRUCKERS, CARAVANNERS AND OTHER SERIOUS ROAD USERS "The best of its kind with quick and easy to use information" Fleet Week - Essential for Truckers (and very useful for Caravanners too) - Over 4,000 bridges with restrictions - either height, weight or width - located on the maps - Super-clear maps of the UK at 1:200,000 (Northern Scotland 1:250,000) - Special Feature: "Bridge Strikes" (including "Most Hit Bridges", numbering approximately 50, which includes all bridges struck five or more time in a 12-month period - Lists Restricted Motorway Junctions with explanations - Truck stop listings and location maps, including the facilities and opening times - Big format and spiral binding - easy-to-use on the road - 12 pages of urban area maps with bridge restrictions - Central London maps - with bridge restrictions.'

I have highlighted in bold the sections relevant to this topic.

 

[Robertj21a]

Perhaps road hauliers could invest in a copy of Phillips 'Truckers Road Atlas' for each of their drivers, £13.59 from WH Smith (other retailers are available). As the blurb says:

'PHILIP'S - THE ATLAS BRAND FOR TRUCKERS, CARAVANNERS AND OTHER SERIOUS ROAD USERS "The best of its kind with quick and easy to use information" Fleet Week - Essential for Truckers (and very useful for Caravanners too) - Over 4,000 bridges with restrictions - either height, weight or width - located on the maps - Super-clear maps of the UK at 1:200,000 (Northern Scotland 1:250,000) - Special Feature: "Bridge Strikes" (including "Most Hit Bridges", numbering approximately 50, which includes all bridges struck five or more time in a 12-month period - Lists Restricted Motorway Junctions with explanations - Truck stop listings and location maps, including the facilities and opening times - Big format and spiral binding - easy-to-use on the road - 12 pages of urban area maps with bridge restrictions - Central London maps - with bridge restrictions.'

I have highlighted in bold the sections relevant to this topic.

I think many will have that, or similar, already.

 

[Dr Hoo]

In a modern context, trying to read a map or look at an atlas when you are driving a vehicle on your own, on roads where there is nowhere to stop, at night, etc. isn’t really ideal.

‘Call it out’ sat navs have a lot of advantages.

 

[Deafdoggie]

It's not always automatically the drivers fault. There are many reasons it may not be. To blame every bridge strike automatically on the driver is absurd.

 

[Llanigraham]

Having spoken to someone involved in this I can tell you that sat nav would have made no difference.
The driver had just pulled out of the work site not 50 metres from the bridge where he had been tipping.

 

[furnessvale]

It's not always automatically the drivers fault. There are many reasons it may not be. To blame every bridge strike automatically on the driver is absurd.

Correct. There have been instances of local authorities resurfacing the road under a bridge and not changing the signs.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's not always automatically the drivers fault. There are many reasons it may not be. To blame every bridge strike automatically on the driver is absurd.

They're very rarely the railway's fault, but the users of the railway inevitably suffer.

 

[Deafdoggie]

They're very rarely the railway's fault, but the users of the railway inevitably suffer.

But it doesn't mean the driver should suffer either.

 

[Falcon1200]

In a modern context, trying to read a map or look at an atlas when you are driving a vehicle on your own, on roads where there is nowhere to stop, at night, etc. isn’t really ideal.

Perhaps they could use an atlas to check their route before setting off, or in the event of unplanned diversions ?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

But it doesn't mean the driver should suffer either.

Unless they're at fault. But being criticised on a fairly niche internet forum is not "suffering".

 

[Loppylugs]

Perhaps they could use an atlas to check their route before setting off, or in the event of unplanned diversions ?

How can you possibly check for any diversions which may occur over a journey of 300 or 400 miles ? An accident on a motorway or A road could send you well off the planned route. I encountered this several times hauling a 14ft high tautliner. No fun believe me.

 

[Falcon1200]

How can you possibly check for any diversions which may occur over a journey of 300 or 400 miles ? An accident on a motorway or A road could send you well off the planned route. I encountered this several times hauling a 14ft high tautliner. No fun believe me.

I meant check when and if a diversion occurs, not before leaving, which is quite obviously impractical. Is it really that unreasonable to expect professional drivers of large and heavy vehicles to have some prior awareness of hazards and restrictions ?

 

[Robertj21a]

I meant check when and if a diversion occurs, not before leaving, which is quite obviously impractical. Is it really that unreasonable to expect professional drivers of large and heavy vehicles to have some prior awareness of hazards and restrictions ?

How does a driver check when he's driving - and gets diverted?

 

[Falcon1200]

How does a driver check when he's driving - and gets diverted?

Um, let me think..... perhaps by stopping at a suitable location ?

 

[jopsuk]

What with the recent bridge strike near Plymouth, I do agree with those who have suggested that Network Rail should pursue those responsible for incidents like this one for the costs involved.

there's about 4 bridge strikes a day on Network Rail bridges.

 

[Robertj21a]

Um, let me think..... perhaps by stopping at a suitable location ?

With a lorry/trailer - diverted on to a secondary road ? - or on a motorway ?
Do you imagine that lay bys and resting stops are readily available on all roads?

 

[Loppylugs]

I meant check when and if a diversion occurs, not before leaving, which is quite obviously impractical. Is it really that unreasonable to expect professional drivers of large and heavy vehicles to have some prior awareness of hazards and restrictions ?

So I'm in your neck of the woods in Scotland and get diverted through your town. Do I know the area ? Of course not. Do you know my home town ? Doubtful.

With a lorry/trailer - diverted on to a secondary road ? - or on a motorway ?
Do you imagine that lay bys and resting stops are readily available on all roads?

Spot on.

 

[newtownmgr]

They can and do. 'Unfortunately', insurance will cover the cost so the driver will walk away scot-free.

They can and do. 'Unfortunately', insurance will cover the cost so the driver will walk away scot-free.

If found to be at fault due to negligence he can & May we’ll be charged with driving without due care or failing to secure the vehicle.

 

[chiltern trev]

Nothing new about it. There have been multiple strikes daily for many years.


The suggested charge was "careless" driving, not "dangerous".

Or "Driving without due care and attention".

 

[61653 HTAFC]

With a lorry/trailer - diverted on to a secondary road ? - or on a motorway ?
Do you imagine that lay bys and resting stops are readily available on all roads?

Oh, right... Well in that case, just keep going until you hit an obstacle then.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Oh, right... Well in that case, just keep going until you hit an obstacle then.

I think that you need to appreciate the concept of 'drive on sight'. It's actually quite standard.