Queensland Rail has partnered with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) to conduct a high visibility bridge strike prevention blitz.
Footage of real-life bridge and protection beam strikes has been released to support the campaign – a confronting reminder of the consequences when drivers get stuck under a rail bridge.
In one clip a delivery truck crumples like cardboard, while in another an excavator is scraped clean off the tray and onto the road.
In some incidents, pedestrians and other motorists are just metres away – narrowly avoiding tragedy.
There were nearly 400 rail bridge and protection beam strikes in 2024 and 124 so far this year (to the end of April).
Last year, Muriel Avenue in Rocklea was Queensland worst spot for bridge/protection beam strikes, with 66 incidents.
Queensland Rail said each incident risked serious injury to drivers and other road users as well as having the potential to cause extensive rail delays for customers.
As part of the bridge strike prevention blitz, targeted enforcement and education activities are taking place at key rail bridge locations across South East Queensland.
The joint initiative, in operation throughout June, sees officers conducting checks on trucks and vehicles with high loads to ensure drivers know their height and have planned their route to avoid “getting their truck stuck”.
The message is being reinforced with new signage featuring crushed trucks and squashed machinery on air fresheners, key rings, in-cab stickers and across Queensland Rail’s website and social media pages.
Queensland Rail General Manager of Security Drew Brock said rail bridge strikes are a serious issue with far-reaching safety and reliability impacts.
“Every time an over height vehicle hits a rail bridge, we stop trains to inspect it for damage — this means customers can’t get to their destinations on time and vital freight is delayed,” he said.
“With the potential of flying debris or in some cases dislodged machinery there’s also the enormous safety risk posed to drivers, other road users and nearby pedestrians following a bridge strike.”
He said many drivers are simply not aware of their vehicle’s height, aren’t paying attention to signage, or are taking routes unsuitable for their loads.
“That’s why we’re working with NHVR and QPS in this joint action to get the message across loud and clear: know your truck, know your height and know your route.”
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