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NHVR partners with Queensland Rail and police on new bridge strike blitz

The NHVR is joining other partners in calling for heavy vehicle drivers to not take the risk when it comes to driving near rail bridges
Great Northern Highway

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has partnered with Queensland Rail and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to focus on driving down the number of road vehicle rail bridge strikes.

Queensland Rail data says there have been 386 strikes to rail bridges and protection beams in a 12-month period, with the trio partnering to target known bridge strike hot spots around south east Queensland.

“Safety is the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s top priority, which is why we are pleased to be working alongside Queensland Rail and the Queensland Police Service in a bid to reduce the number of dangerous and avoidable bridge strikes across the state’s southeast,” NHVR operations manager south northern region Jarrod Wilson says.

“These incidents not only pose a serious and potentially deadly risk to the driver and other motorists but can also cause costly damage to important infrastructure and create significant headaches for commuters and travellers.

“Fortunately, these incidents are entirely avoidable by accurately measuring your load before you get behind the wheel, and thoroughly planning your route using the NHVR’s National Network Map.

“Our message is clear and simple – know your truck, know your height, and know your route.”

The blitz is part of the arsenal to keep trains running on time and community members safe.

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The crackdown gets underway this week and will run for the fortnight, with officers physically stopping drivers as they approach the most struck bridges in the region.

Officers will be on the ground at Wynnum, Yeronga, Corinda, Chelmer, Dutton Park and Rocklea.

Information boards have also been placed at key locations to help educate the public about the consequences of bridge strikes.

Drivers who damage rail infrastructure can be fined from $1,290 and four demerit points, to a $12,904 penalty if the matter goes to court.

A driver who damages a bridge, tunnel or overhead structure may also be liable for other penalties such as contravening clearance signs ($645 fine and four demerit points) or $6,452 if the matter goes to court, along with careless driving of a motor vehicle ($645 and three demerit points).

The three organisations are asking drivers to avoid all that cost, danger and embarrassment by knowing your height, planning your route and obeying the road rules.

“We’ve seen 101 bridges and 285 protection beams struck by over height vehicles between October this year and last, and while, thankfully, no one has been seriously injured – every strike has that potential,” Queensland Rail senior manager of security and emergency preparedness Travis Cooper says.

“Just last month we saw a car narrowly miss being crushed after a truck got wedged at Corinda – next time maybe we won’t be so lucky.

“When an over height vehicle strikes a rail bridge, we have to stop trains to assess the damage – and that can mean the difference between our customers getting home to their families or extensive delays.

“We’re trying to stop these incidents happening at the source – asking drivers to know their vehicle and load height before they find themselves injured, red-faced and wedged under a bridge.

“We’ve put high visibility message boards in place, and our reinvigorated social media campaign ‘Truck Load of Trouble’ is in market and now we’re at some of the top strike locations.

“We’re not mincing our words – drivers, know your height, plan your route and obey the signs and rules.”

Transport and Main Roads general manager of land transport safety and regulation Joanna Robinson says delays are also a key focus in mitigating bridge strikes.

“On top of the significant safety risk, there’s also hundreds of hours of delays every year caused by these avoidable incidents,” she says.

“We are pleading with truckies, please don’t take the risk, just know the height of your load, and obey the signs.”

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