A low bridge sign is a traffic sign that warns drivers of vehicles, especially tall ones, about an upcoming bridge with limited vertical clearance. These signs indicate the maximum height that vehicles can safely pass under the bridge to avoid collisions or getting stuck. Typically, low bridge signs display the clearance height in both imperial and metric units, and they are crucial for large trucks, buses, RVs, and other tall vehicles to prevent accidents and damage.
Key Details About Low Bridge Signs:
- The sign warns of a bridge with a clearance generally less than 5 meters (or 16 feet 6 inches) in the UK, which can vary in other regions.
- The signs are usually rectangular with height restrictions shown inside a circle with red trim.
- They are posted ahead of bridges to give enough warning for tall vehicles to stop or take alternate routes.
- Ignoring these signs can lead to costly vehicle and bridge damage, traffic disruptions, and legal penalties.
- The signs apply mostly to large trucks, buses, high-roof delivery vehicles, RVs, and construction equipment.
- Clearance heights are carefully measured and rounded down to create safety margins.
- In the UK, the sign often uses a blue background with white letters and trim for identification.
- Different countries may have variations in design but the purpose remains the same: to prevent collisions with low bridges.
This sign is an important road safety feature specifically to alert drivers about height restrictions so they can avoid accidents with bridges that have limited clearance.
