A new feature that could help stop commercial vehicle drivers being involved in bridge strikes has gone live on FleetCheck’s vehicle inspection app.

Network Rail recorded 1,833 bridge strikes in the 2021/22 financial year
Image credit: Network Rail

It provides a reminder to drivers they are currently using a high vehicle whenever they carry out a scheduled vehicle inspection, helping to keep the issue prominent.

Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck, said: “Providing a simple reminder within the app both keeps the whole issue of bridge strikes front-of-mind for the driver and tells those who regularly swap from vehicle to vehicle the height of the HGV or van they are currently driving.”

Bridge strikes remain a major problem in the UK. Network Rail recorded 1,833 bridge strikes in the 2021/22 financial year, up from 1,624 in 2020/21 and costing almost £12m in delay and cancellation fees alone. That’s without the huge expense and disruption to the fleet operators involved, or the cost of congestion to the British public.

Historically, such crashes have been seen as a problem for HGVs but recent reporting from Logistics UK revealed they also affect high roof vans.

The bridge strike reminder is the latest addition to FleetCheck’s inspection app, which was introduced in April 2017.

Other additions to the app since its launch include support for languages commonly used among UK fleet drivers; a fit-to-drive declaration; an improved trailer inspection routine; an option for employees to view documentation and policies; and enhanced damage, defect and collision reporting.

Golding added: “There has been a general increase in awareness of the importance of this kind of digital safety check product in the market among commercial vehicle fleets, displacing previous paper-based systems, and we have been well-placed to take advantage of the trend.”