[PR] Truck drivers - Know your load height and bridge heights!

Victor

http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/news_centre/general_news.asp?action=view&news_id=70

Truck drivers - Know your load height and bridge heights! by Infrastructure Department

Please click here for detailed information on bridge heights around the Iarnród Éireann network, and information on how to receive maps and further information to assist road hauliers, and prevent bridge strikes.

John R

Certain bridges are struck so regularly now that a more pro-active approach is required.

The frequency of strikes by oversize loads where drivers are supposedly specifically trained on the hazards of these loads is particularly worrying.

For certain bridges the possibility of putting protective barriers on the approach roads should be looked into. The problem is simply not going away and driver education is not working, I fear it will take another disaster like the 1975 one in Gorey before at risk overbridges are fully protected.

A Dub in Glasgo

Are IE invoicing the haulage company for the cost of inspecting/repairing the bridge and the resultant delay in train services?

Stimpyone

Are the drivers held responsible in any way?.

Slightly off topic but I was disappointed to hear recently that the canopy outside the Olympia theater will now not be replaced after it had been destroyed by a reversing HGV. Disgrace IMO.

Capt'n Midnight

I heard on the radio (morning Ireland) that about 5 or 6 years ago there were 18 bridge strikes in a year. It's now up to about 200 per year. What has happened to truckers recently it's not like there are many more bridges or that they are shrinking !

IR spokesman mentioned the guy who hit a second bridge 10 minutes after being released from the custom house one. Perhaps they should be able to bill truckers for delays to the DART.

IR will be trying an InfraRed (IR ) sensor on bridges in Portlaoise soon with a view to deploying elsewhere.