Rail Bridge Safety

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Don't get your truck stuck! Do you know the height of your truck and load every time you get behind the wheel? Do you plan your route appropriately for your vehicle height? 

We has partnered with Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the National High Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on a new two part Rail Bridge Safety campaign – Don't get your truck stuck! for heavy/high vehicles and Know your load, before hitting the road! for vehicles with unusual loads like plant equipment.

The issue

There are many rail bridges with clearance below 5.4m across Brisbane and around South East Queensland.

In 2024 there were 94 strikes to rail bridges and a further 302 to protection beams, a total of 396 strikes to Queensland Rail infrastructure.​

Top 10 most hit rail bridge locations in 2024​​​

The consequences​

Rail bridge and protection beam strikes can be dangerous for you as the driver, they can also cause costly damage to your vehicle, your load, rail infrastructure, as well as cause lengthy delays to road and rail users.​​​

​You could get left with:

We actively pursue drivers and their employers for the cost of repairs which would otherwise be covered by taxpayers. Businesses are further impacted by the cost of insurance and the loss of income while a vehicle is off the road. The Queensland Police Service may take enforcement action against those drivers responsible for damages to rail infrastructure, including a bridge, tunnel or overhead structure.​​

​Did you know if you strike a rail bridge you can be fined? If the matter is taken to court the fines can increase to over $25,000 plus 11 demerits from your licence. As a driver this could mean loss of your licence and employment.

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How to avoid bridge strikes

Know your truck and load height

Ensure you:

• Check the height of your vehicle, its load and/or equipment before starting your journey.
• Check the height again after any load changes.
• Display your current vehicle height in the cab at the start of every journey and following any change to your load.

Plan your route appropriately

Every Queensland Rail bridge with a clearence below 5.4m is fitted with height clearance signage and it's up to motorists to know your vehicle and load height and to stay clear of low clearance bridges. Routes should be planned in advance and selected to eliminate the risk of bridge strikes. It is your responsibility to:​

• Avoid taking unplanned shortcuts to save time
• Always check your vehicle height after changes to your load
• Not to rely on a satellite navigation system designed for cars. Plan your routes in advance here to avoid rail and road bridges that are too low for their vehicles by visiting the Transport & Main ​Roads site or the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's Route planner tool. If there are road closures or diversions on the planned route, check alternative routes to avoid low bridges before continuing your journey.

For a full list of low clearance rail bridges please visit the Rail Bridges webpage.  

If you see or are involved in a bridge strike

If you are involved in, or witness, a rail bridge strike incident, it should immediately be reported to Queensland Rail by calling Emergency Network Control on 1800 079 303 and contact emergency services on 000​ if required.  

More resources

Request a Safety education presentation

To book in a rail safety presentation for your workplace please contact our Community Education team to schedule a free onsite toolbox presentation. For more information or to request a booking, head to our Rail Safety webpage. 

Print merchandise

​To request in cab height stickers and information flyers, please email marketin​​​​g@qr.com.au ​with the quantity you require and a delivery address.

We have Toolbox talks you can print. 

Toolbox Talk - Don't get your truck stuck!

Toolbox Talk - Know your load, before hitting the road!​​

​​Other useful links

The National High Vehicle Regulator has more information on their Over-height trucks website​.​