DSA sets up voluntary BRIDGE BASHING PLANS FLAWED 0 Government
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plans to combat bridge bashing are seriously flawed, warns the Freight Transport Association.
The FTA agrees with the Department of Transport idea of indicating a vehicle's height by a sign in the cab, but points out that this will pose problems with tractive units which haul trailers of different heights.
The DOT wants every vehicle over three metres high to be fitted with height notices: the FTA has called on the DOT to phase in the measures, starting with rigids.
"Tractor units pull different-sized trailers at different times and under the new measures drivers would be constantly altering the height notices," says the FTA. "It is inevitable someone would eventually get it wrong and plough into a bridge."
The FTA also wants better signing of bridges, automatic height detection alarms on high-risk bridges, and a national database of bridge heights.
The DOT plans further consultation with the FTA and other interested bodies before making a final decision on its bridge bashing plans.