High-Sided Vehicles

[paulllambert]

During the recent high winds, the Queen Elizabeth Crossing at Dartford was "closed to high-sided vehicles". I saw one of these vehicles cross the bridge. It was "intercepted" by the authorities at the toll-booths.
I was wondering what punishment the driver would have received (points, fine, ban) ?

[TWR]

Many times this happened to myself regards the Trailer I was Pulling, If the Taut was empty I used to open the curtain & strap the curtain to the back doors of the trailer, the only thing that could happen is up draft, this could lift the roof off as the roof is only fiberglass and held in place by pop rivets, there was no problem to a point if the Trailer was loaded as the weight held it down, at time the police used to PAIR HGVs up to go over bridges. but it all concerns comon sense & safety.

[paulllambert]

Thanks, TWR, but that makes no sense at all to me, I'm afraid. From what you say, you would happily break the law, because the worst thing that could happen is the roof flying off your trailer!!
Scenario....... lorry crosses bridge which has been closed to high-siders due to high, dangerous winds, driver swerves and takes out car (or cars) killing a number of people. What then? Does he get away with it, because he thought the weight of the vehicle would hold it down?? I don't think so.
If a sign says "low bridge ahead" or "width restriction 6ft 6ins" the driver would find alternative route. To me, "road closed to high-sided vehicles" should mean (to the driver) ROAD CLOSED.

[boxtops]

Bear in mind that what you may have seen is a foreign driver, some of whom have limited English... Unfortunately, so may not have interpreted the sign correctly.

TWR, OH was coming back from the North below Christmas, empty, and the Police told him he wasn't allowed to tie back his curtains (which would have made huge sense) because he still had a small box of ties in the back - and no room for it in the cab.

[TWR]

Paul, it there anything in my post that said I would break the Law? RE-Read my post, If the bridge had been closed how come the lorry crosses bridge?

[boxtops]

I can only assume that there was no road block at the Northern end, TWR (which seems highly unlikely) since the tollbooths are on the south side at Dartford.

[TWR]

Hi Boxy, inexperience Mr Plob I take it, I once had a bobby trying to book me for an insecure load that was still on the back of the trailor, after a bit of experience, I told him to either booK me or go on his way " HE went before he made a fool of himself.

[TWR]

Boxy, any HGV driver with experience would not take the chance,I know I would not, I would have gone the old route, mind you, half of these so-called truckers would be buggered without their Sat Nav! that's the advantage of experience. lol

[Baldric]

Yes, it does suggest you would break the Law,
/// "closed to high-sided vehicles"///........from the OP.
///Many times this happened to myself///..........From your post(1st reply)
What else could you be referring to?

[boxtops]

Oh yes, TWR - how many trucks have we seen round here, jammed in tiny lanes....?

The best one I've heard of was a truck which was destined for Gibraltar, who ended up at Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire ... just how, one asks, you crossed the Channel..?!

[TWR]

Did I say I went over with the Curtain closed? I thought you were observant?

[Baldric]

I am!
You did not say you didn't

[bhg481]

Initial response from TWR:
//If the Taut was empty I used to open the curtain & strap the curtain to the back doors of the trailer//

That, to me, says TWR was driving with the curtain open.

[boxtops]

Me too, but not that he was crossing the bridge when told not to.....