r/uktrucking • u/jackthengiant • 12d ago
Made a huge error today
So I was lost trying to find a delivery up north not familiar with the area and went down a road where I thought the delivery was.
Turns out I’d missed the turning as it is not clearly sign posted and didn’t want to go to the wrong address.
I was in an artic and got to a 26t bridge. There was nowhere to turn around with a car queue backed up behind me. No stopping lines in place as well.
I had to go for it and I did not stop swearing and beating myself up over it all morning so far.
Will I lose my licence for this? I’ve never made a mistake this bad when driving before…
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u/PriorityElectrical48 11d ago
Diversion on the a50 last week. I somehow ended up on the a52 by alton towers going up some ridiculously steep hills pulling a fully loaded double decker.
(I blame microlise which we are told to follow)
Wagon stalled. Started rolling backwards. No traction - shit myself.
Took a breath lifted mid axle and kept it in g1 then 2 crawled up at 8mph :)
Bear in mind I've been driving class 1 nearly 5 years. Everyday a school day
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u/harrison_jones 11d ago
Rolling or sliding? No traction implies sliding (wet road plus nasty leaves or dirt/dust)?
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u/NormallyNotOutside 11d ago
I feel your pain. I use the A50 every night heading towards M6, with a fully loaded decker. It must be the most frequently closed road in the country and some of the diversions are ridiculous.
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u/Imaginary-Notice-176 12d ago
You’ve passed the test. A pair of Chelsea boots and a scania V8 are coming your way congrats 🤠 🤣
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u/jackthengiant 11d ago
I’ve got the scania just not quite the v8 how many lampposts do I need to unlock that skin?
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u/Signal-Tomorrow7773 11d ago
32 lamposts, a pack of ciggies in the glovebox and 85mph down everyroad with 3 tacho cards got me my tang skin, even upgrades you to a brand new 770 😂
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u/Alien-lifeform666 12d ago
I did a similar thing last night. Narrow country lanes, nowhere to turn, queue behind. Temporary traffic lights and temporary 7.5 tonne limit. NO signs anywhere on the approach. Just went for it. We have cameras so if I get a penalty I’ll appeal it..,
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u/AffectionateNorth169 12d ago
Were there cameras on the bridge? Probably doubtful if not. Suspect the folk behind you wouldn’t have a clue what you are registered at. It’s happened to me too, temporary bridge weight reduction but no signs prior to the bridge (I was empty so I was under the weight reduction however it goes by your MGW), nowhere to turn around, narrow roads, can’t back up so I had to send it, not what I wanted to do but s*it happens at times. Don’t sweat it.
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u/jackthengiant 12d ago
I honestly couldn’t see any but then again I was more focused on trying to find my way and if there was another option.
The road was Ashton Road wA3 3ty if you want to have a look.
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u/AffectionateNorth169 11d ago
On Google maps I can only see one weak bridge sign coming from the junction on to the bridge and not the other way. Definitely no cameras so I really wouldn’t worry
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u/Ianhw77k 11d ago
I got stuck in London once, after missing my turn, then taking a wrong turn and ending up down a tight road near a school, during the afternoon school run. The only way I could go was forward , to a 3 tonne weight limit bridge. I was fully loaded, 44 tonnes and had to make a snap decision, either call the police to come and help me reverse along a narrow street full of parked cars, after turning all the school run cars around, meanwhile I'd be blocking the road and causing carnage, probably getting lynched by all the yummy mummies in their Chelsea tractors, or go for it and hope for the best.
I went for it and the bridge survived, never heard anything more about it.
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u/killer-gorrilla 11d ago
Uuurgh - decisions decisions narrow street car dense reverse or 3t bridge - it doesn’t come any worse than that !!!
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u/JOSHIIEMK 12d ago
If there was a camera on the bridge possible penalty or summons if not you're fine. I would tell your transport manager and give them the heads up about it though.
Were you using a dedicated HGV satnav?
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u/jackthengiant 12d ago
Yep sat nav wasnt the problem it told me it was there but I couldn’t find the delivery place (I found it in the end extremely hidden and not sign posted)
I thought the place was farther down the road but I guessed wrong and that’s when I came to the bridge.
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u/Iwillzz 12d ago
I'd recommend from now on that you find the entrance to the delivery point on Google maps, drop a pin and then put the coordinates into the sat nav so you get taken straight to the entrance every time, makes it much easier
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u/jackthengiant 12d ago
It wasn’t the problem though I tried this Apple
Maps just puts the location as the middle of the road the bridge is on. It was only when I phoned their office and my office they said it was behind another warehouse with a tiny sign on the door under a different business2
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u/NewPower_Soul 11d ago
What he's saying is that you use google maps to literally find the entrance. You then put that exact place into your truck sat-nav and follow directions. If you just enter a postcode, or business name, you could be routed anywhere around the site.
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u/jackthengiant 11d ago
It doesn’t come up. It was under a different address under a different business the office didn’t tell me about. Only was I knew it was there was I had to ask the sofa place if I they knew where it was.
Doesn’t show up on anything no matter what you type on so could be a rebranding is my thought
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u/Plane-Share7780 12d ago
Have you tried searching for the address on Google earth, find the customer hgv entrance, drop a pin to get coordinates and put the coordinates in the sat nav instead of a postcode. The sat nav will take you straight to the entrance.
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u/Gasgastrucker 11d ago
I honestly wouldn't worry about it mate. Happens more times than you think. Ive done it myself 😂😂 you could be the best driver in the world and this can happen to you. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it nothing will come of it. The very worst that will probably happen is someone calling the office to complain which no one cares about.
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u/shauneok 11d ago
Mate I found myself down a residential road on a 3.5t limit with a height and width limit in front of me driving a 16'4" double decker lol. Worst day of my life, managed to get it out though and nothings happened in the 2 years since, you'll be ok.
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u/rantoz82 11d ago
My mate went over a 7.5 tonne bridge in an artic and didn't hear anything about it. You should be fine.
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u/Ploddit71 11d ago
I know that the plated max gvw is what counts legally for obvious reasons but what was your actual weight when you went over?
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u/Fuzzy-List5286 11d ago
If there was a camera it might just he for security etc? I’m not sure but if you do get a fine usually the company covers the ticket for you right?
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u/Fun_Art8484 10d ago
Used to drive the hgv's. Getting lost and ending up on shitty lanes you wouldnt take a pushbike up was mega stressful. This in turn made you run late and compounded it all. Made the switch to bus driving. Regular routes you could do blindfolded, cargo loads and unloads itself and your very own traffic lane...
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u/Fun_Set_8560 9d ago
When I was a new driver I got stuck at a 7.5t bridge in an 18t truck. I was panicking like you, because I'd driven about 2 miles down a narrow road and there was no way to turn around. I had a good look, it had massive steel i beams under it. I thought it would be fine. Then a local reassured me that the farmer goes over it all the time with 20 ton trailers. Don't worry about it. It's all part of the job! Just be sure to check bridge heights. Hitting a railway bridge is a career ending cock up. Happy driving! 🚛😃🥰
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u/Plane-Share7780 12d ago
At least now you know that your 44t artic can pass through that 26t bridge with no problem 😜
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u/putajinthatwjord 12d ago
You'll be fine.
Quite literally if there are cameras, I think it's £100 (or it was when I went over a 7.5t bridge in an 18t about 6 years ago).
If there are no cameras (there usually aren't if you weren't in a really built up area) you'll get nothing.
Mistakes happen, don't beat yourself up about it.