The problem arises when the atlas says it is high enough to get under and when you get there the height shown is lower.
waddy640:
The problem arises when the atlas says it is high enough to get under and when you get there the height shown is lower.
Yeah, my atlas is a bit out of date (5yrs) and still shows a bridge near me as 14’9, but the bridge is marked 14’6, pretty sure a 14’9 would still go under, been under it with high cube containers no probs, but the next height I normally run is over 15’ and that’d just be stupid to try 
I wonder how Owners of vehicles, who pay the fuel for these drivers taking detours, feel about their money being wasted because the drivers are over-cautious?
I think it’s only a matter of time before some twit posts that this thread shows the need for dcpc 
The issue is that the highways authorities are altering these heights as a precaution but as regards extra fuel costs, ultimately it will always be cheaper than paying out for a bridge strike.
Ive been under this one in an indicated 13"10’ on several occasions including in the dark of night.
Its abit tight though
The numbers in the cab are very misleading but i aint about to change em.
waddy640:
The issue is that the highways authorities are altering these heights as a precaution but as regards extra fuel costs, ultimately it will always be cheaper than paying out for a bridge strike.
OK, but we’re not talking of a bridge strike, we’re talking of people driving around bridges signed 3" higher than their vehicles. I’d be ■■■■■■ at paying fuel at todays prices, wages, and wear and tear for a vehicle to be driving around sight seeing.
Even if a bridge is signed the same as your vehicle - assuming you’ve measured your 5th wheel as all trailer heights are usually marked based on a 5th wheel height, it’s still madness to drive around it because the sign is the safe clearance.
Own Account Driver:
I think it’s only a matter of time before some twit posts that this thread shows the need for dcpc
If there was some consistency in the height reductions there wouldn’t be a problem. The situation is that you could have driven under a bridge for five years and all of a sudden the height shown is lower than your vehicle. You do not know whether any alterations have taken place so what do you do?
COOKiEEES!!:
If u’re 13’10 or 13’11, would you risk going under a 14’0 ?
Of course, why wouldn’t you? I wouldn’t even slow down or think about it. I would do the same with a 14’ 0" trailer at a bridge with a 14’ 0" sign.
Strikes me from some of the replies to this thread, and other threads each time this type of question is asked, that many drivers haven’t got a clue what the signs actually mean. HINT: It isn’t the actual height of the bridge or obstruction.
If I employed a driver and found out he was detouring round bridges signed 3" more, or even the same height, as the vehicle I would sack the twit (other vowels are available) because they are clearly a bit dim and not suitable for the job.
Coffeeholic:
COOKiEEES!!:
If u’re 13’10 or 13’11, would you risk going under a 14’0 ?Of course, why wouldn’t you? I wouldn’t even slow down or think about it. I would do the same with a 14’ 0" trailer at a bridge with a 14’ 0" sign.
Strikes me from some of the replies to this thread, and other threads each time this type of question is asked, that many drivers haven’t got a clue what the signs actually mean.
If I employed a driver and found out he was detouring round bridges signed 3" more, or even the same height, as the vehicle I would sack the twit (other vowels are available) because they are clearly a bit dim and not suitable for the job.
And he needs to grow a pair,
I hope this helps!!
Whenever I drive a 7.5 tonner, I don’t go into a 17 tonne weight limit, just to be on the safe side. 
Coffeeholic:
COOKiEEES!!:
If u’re 13’10 or 13’11, would you risk going under a 14’0 ?Of course, why wouldn’t you? I wouldn’t even slow down or think about it. I would do the same with a 14’ 0" trailer at a bridge with a 14’ 0" sign.
Strikes me from some of the replies to this thread, and other threads each time this type of question is asked, that many drivers haven’t got a clue what the signs actually mean.
If I employed a driver and found out he was detouring round bridges signed 3" more, or even the same height, as the vehicle I would sack the twit (other vowels are available) because they are clearly a bit dim and not suitable for the job.
+1
How tall are you?
I’m 5’ 10".
No, I’ll be safe and say 5’ 7".
Or should I say 5’ 5".
If I bend my knees I’m 5’.
Let’s say then I’m 4’ 9", just to leave a 3" safety margin.
Hmm. That might be wrong though so I’ll say 4’ 6".
etc etc
Yes, I dont have time to hang the job out.
I and many others have whistled under this one , mind you i did sit and stare at it for a while with my hazards on ! I waited till a trans-cor wagon and drag came past and flew under !
I can’t actually beleive that people would avoid a bridge marked up higher than thier truck. 
If u’re 13’10 or 13’11, would you risk going under a 14’
I wouldn’t hesitate to do that, if I have a couple of inches to spare I’ll go straight under with out slowing down but I’ll usually slow down a bit if my vehicle is the same height as the marker on the bridge.
Someone earlier in the thread said about not bothering to change the in-cab height indicator which If you get pulled could cost you a £30 fixed penalty if it’s incorrectly set, so I wonder how many drivers do bother to set the it?
What about arched bridges as against hoizontal ones?.
I once read somewhere official, that bridge heights should be calculated as such, round down to the next nearest 3" then minus 3" EG: a bridge actually measured at 15’7" should be rounded down to 15’6" then minus 3" which equates to a marked height of 15’3", consideration must be taken for the topography ie: a uphill immediately after a bridge, so that long vehicles do not strike the bridge when the front of the vehicle rises.
Basically if your truck is at or lower than the marked height of the bridge you should be okay.
My little 12 tonner is marked at 12’ 3.25" which is a right pain, can’t legally go under a 12’3" bridge (red circled) but the truck actually measures 11’8" 
MADBAZ:
I once read somewhere official, that bridge heights should be calculated as such, round down to the next nearest 3" then minus 3" EG: a bridge actually measured at 15’7" should be rounded down to 15’6" then minus 3" which equates to a marked height of 15’3", consideration must be taken for the topography ie: a uphill immediately after a bridge, so that long vehicles do not strike the bridge when the front of the vehicle rises.Basically if your truck is at or lower than the marked height of the bridge you should be okay.
My little 12 tonner is marked at 12’ 3.25" which is a right pain, can’t legally go under a 12’3" bridge (red circled) but the truck actually measures 11’8"
Can you not change the sign? 
4whatitsworth:
MADBAZ:
I once read somewhere official…Can you not change the sign?
When the windscreen was changed (Height in sticky letters on it from lease co) I put a 12’3" label in, but my gaffer wouldn’t let me go any lower despite us getting the tape out 
. I’m not bothered now, only a week left on my notice .