(I am am sure that this bridge (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.9008998,-1.1083481,3a,75y,279.35h,89.59t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNYgRD6y56OPwkNEjpam-5A!2e0?hl=en) used to have hanging chains but the seem to have been replaced by an electronic device positioned near the HGV turn-back position.)
They tend to stop if they get wedged underneath it. Glancing blows are more of a problem.
Locally we have more bother with speeding silage contractors (presently moving shredded feed corn) colliding with narrow and expensive to repair listed sandstone humped back bridges.
This is a particularly unforgiving one at Barton near Manchester on the B5230 - it goes under a canal! They really don't want it to get hit!!!
Not really, there are only a few ways things can go wrong. When you've seen one bashed bridge or lorry having a lay down on its side, you've seen them all. To be honest, I spent most of my time going out with a battery set to jump start lorries when the drivers forgot to turn off the lights when they went home.
Lemme guess ... because in Britain, owners of vehicles damaged by such equipment would, in the great 21st century attitude of British people, say "it wasn't my fault, it was - er - someone else's" -- and reach for the nearest solicitor.
There is then at least a 50-50 chance that our wonderful legal system, and its nerdy judges, would judge in favour of the complainant, thus involving the authorities responsible for said equipment in huge costs, and preventing their using it ever again.
Whereas I get the impression, from what little I know of the French legal system, the judgement would be: "Are you joking? That equipment is there for a very obvious reason. Fuck off -- and pay the costs on your way out!"
My niece was driving a 4x4 into a car park and the pole on the chains just touched the roof. Her (blond) friend offered to get out and lift it up a bit......
Many years ago, someone I knew claimed to have been an HGV driver who specialised in big, heavy loads. One such was some transformers for, IIRC, a nuclear power station. Planned meticulously with only tiny clearances on many bridges. Even said they reduced air pressure in tyres for the tightest ones.
Come the day (though I think they might have had some successful runs before this), they went under a railway bridge and at the same time a train went over. The bowing of the bridge from the heavy train was enough to foul the transformers.
Harsh to put all the blame on the driver in such a case.
On the road from Kilnhurst to Rawmarsh there is an exceptionally low bridge. It's a shade over ten foot I think. Years ago I came across the following scene: there was debris including coloured glass all over the place, and a man was leaning against a wall, howling with grief. I stopped. The vehicle was a short wheelbase pick up truck, and it had been transporting a tall stained glass window. Because of the height of the window it had been decided to fix it upright in the back of the truck. The driver had been heading towards Sheffield, but had turned right at Hooton Roberts because there's been an accident of the A road. He had then followed his nose, and had taken a left towards Rawmarsh. I helped him dry his tears.
I found it surprising that he had gone under the bridge because whenever I go under it I worry, even though I know for certain my vehicle will fit.
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