Bridge Strike Prevention: How Technology Can Reduce Risk
Bridge strikes remain a significant safety and operational issue for commercial fleets across the UK.
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, there were 1,666 reported railway bridge strikes in Britain, equivalent to one every five hours, according to Network Rail. These incidents resulted in more than 186,000 minutes of delays and cost the rail industry around £12 million in delays and cancellations.
For operators of HGVs, buses, coaches and other high-sided vehicles, effective bridge strike prevention requires a combination of accurate vehicle information, route planning, driver awareness and increasingly, technology that can provide an additional warning when a vehicle approaches a height restriction.
Why do bridge strikes still happen?
Commercial fleet operators already have established processes designed to reduce the risk of bridge strikes. However, the number of incidents each year demonstrates the challenges involved in managing vehicle height across busy and complex fleet operations.
Network Rail research found that 32% of drivers admitted setting off without being aware of the height of their vehicle, while 56% had not considered low bridges when planning their journey. The report states “Regulatory action is a real possibility for those operators who fail to take appropriate control measures to prevent bridge strikes, as well as for the drivers involved.”
Vehicle configurations can also vary. Different trailers, loads and equipment can change the overall travelling height, while diversions or unfamiliar routes can introduce risks that may not form part of a driver’s usual journey.
Government guidance places clear responsibilities on operators too. Senior Traffic Commissioner guidance advises operators to assess bridge strike risks, plan routes in advance where reasonably practicable, provide appropriate training and ensure vehicle running heights are available to drivers and anyone responsible for planning routes. Vehicles over three metres high must also display an in-cab overall height indicator.
Watch our short video on bridge strike prevention
What are the consequences of a bridge strike?
A bridge strike can have consequences far beyond damage to the vehicle itself. Where railway infrastructure is involved, the bridge must be inspected following an incident to establish whether it is safe before normal rail operations can resume. This can lead to substantial disruption for road and rail users, alongside vehicle recovery, infrastructure repairs and operational downtime.
For fleet operators, the consequences can include:
- vehicle and infrastructure damage
- road and rail closures
- operational downtime
- repair and recovery costs
- insurance claims
- disruption to customers and passengers
- reputational damage
- potential regulatory action
Most importantly, bridge strikes can put drivers, passengers, other road users and rail passengers at risk. The potential financial impact can also be substantial. In one incident at Harlaxton Road bridge in Grantham in November 2024, a bridge strike caused approximately £423,000 of damage and 59 hours of delays, according to Network Rail. This makes bridge strike prevention an important part of wider fleet risk management, rather than simply a route-planning issue.
How can fleet operators prevent bridge strikes?
Drivers need accurate information about the height of the vehicle they are operating, particularly where different trailers, loads or configurations are involved. Routes should be planned with vehicle dimensions in mind, and drivers and transport teams need appropriate training and procedures.
Technology can provide another layer of protection.
A low bridge detection system can support existing bridge strike prevention measures by identifying potential height-clearance conflicts ahead of the vehicle and warning the driver before they reach the obstruction. This is particularly valuable when operating high-sided vehicles, variable-height configurations or unfamiliar routes.
How does a low bridge detection system work?
The Motormax Low Bridge Detection System has been developed specifically for commercial fleet environments and uses AI, GPS or a combination of both to identify potential height-clearance risks.
For fixed-height vehicles, the vehicle height profile is configured during installation, allowing the system to operate automatically without requiring the driver to enter the vehicle height before each journey.
When a potential low bridge is identified, an LED display and audible in-cab alert provide the driver with an early warning. The visual display uses incremental warnings to help the driver quickly understand the risk, identifying when the vehicle is safe to proceed, when a low bridge has been detected and when the bridge is too low.
Connected fleet safety solutions
Bridge strike prevention technology can also provide fleet operators with information that extends beyond the immediate driver alert. The Motormax Low Bridge Detection System can operate independently or as part of a connected fleet safety solution.
Optional integration with the MaxConnex® platform enables events to be recorded for reporting and analysis, helping operators identify routes, locations and behaviours associated with height-related risks. Height-related incidents or near misses can also trigger events, providing additional information for investigation and driver training. The system can also integrate with the Geotab telematics platform, bringing bridge strike information into a wider fleet management environment.
For operators, this turns individual warnings into useful fleet safety data, helping identify recurring risks and opportunities for operational improvement.
Low bridge detection for HGV, bus and coach fleets
Bridge strikes are particularly relevant to operators of HGVs and passenger transport vehicles because of their height and the potential consequences of a collision. Network Rail states that most vehicles involved in railway bridge strikes are HGVs and buses.
Motormax Low Bridge Detection can therefore provide an additional bridge strike prevention measure for fleets including:
- HGVs and articulated vehicles
- buses and coaches
- vehicles operating different trailer combinations
- high-sided commercial vehicles
- vehicles carrying variable-height loads
For fleet operators, optional event monitoring and integration can also provide greater visibility of height-related risks, supporting investigation, training and ongoing operational improvement.
Find out more
Discover the Motormax Low Bridge Detection System and how it can support bridge strike prevention across your fleet.
Frequently asked questions
What is bridge strike prevention?
Bridge strike prevention covers the measures used by fleet operators and drivers to reduce the risk of high-sided vehicles colliding with bridges and other height-restricted structures. These can include knowing the vehicle’s travelling height, appropriate route planning, driver training and technology that provides warnings of potential clearance risks.
What is a low bridge detection system?
A low bridge detection system identifies potential height-clearance conflicts and warns the driver before reaching the obstruction. The Motormax system uses AI, GPS or a combination of both and provides visual and audible in-cab warnings.
How does low bridge detection help prevent bridge strikes?
The technology provides an additional layer of protection by comparing potential height restrictions with the configured height of the vehicle and warning the driver when a risk is identified. It supports established route planning, training and fleet safety procedures.
Can low bridge detection be used on HGVs, buses and coaches?
Yes. The Motormax system is designed for commercial fleets and can support HGVs, buses, coaches and other high-sided vehicles.
Can bridge strike events be monitored by fleet operators?
Yes. Motormax Low Bridge Detection can operate as a standalone system, while optional integration with MaxConnex® enables events and trends to be monitored. The system can also trigger events for height-related incidents or near misses and integrate with the Geotab telematics platform.
Find out more about our Low Bridge Detection System and book a meeting with one of our fleet safety experts.