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Bridge Warnings

Bridge Warnings

Low bridge strikes are one of the most dangerous and costly incidents for heavy vehicles. Truck Me uses a two-stage warning system so you hear about height-restricted bridges before you're committed to the road, not after.

How It Works

Truck Me compares your vehicle's height (from your vehicle profile) against every bridge and overpass on your route. When a clearance conflict exists, you get two warnings:

Stage 1: Turn Warning

When: Before you turn onto the road that has the low bridge.

This is the critical warning. You haven't committed to the road yet, so you can still take an alternative. The alert includes:

  • Audio announcement: "Low bridge ahead on [road name]. Clearance [X] metres. Your vehicle height [Y] metres."
  • Visual banner with bridge location and clearance details.
  • Option to view alternatives that avoid the bridge.

Stage 2: Approach Warning

When: 500 metres before the bridge itself.

A secondary confirmation in case you missed or dismissed the first warning, or if you navigated onto the road without turn-by-turn active. The alert includes:

  • Audio announcement: "Low bridge in 500 metres. Clearance [X] metres."
  • Full-screen visual warning.
  • Emergency stop guidance if needed.

Why Two Stages?

Most competitor apps only warn you when you're already approaching the bridge. At that point, a heavy vehicle often can't stop or turn around safely. Truck Me's turn warning gives you the chance to avoid the road entirely.

Bridge Data

Bridge clearance data comes from the NHVR network database and includes:

  • Vertical clearance, height in metres.
  • Horizontal clearance, width restrictions where applicable.
  • Location, exact coordinates on the road segment.
  • Conditions, any time-of-day or lane-specific restrictions.

Configuration

You can customise bridge warnings in Settings:

  • Audio volume, independent from other alert types.
  • Warning distance, adjust the Stage 1 turn warning distance.
  • Visual style, banner or full-screen.
  • Clearance buffer, set a safety margin above your vehicle height (e.g. 0.3m buffer).

Keeping Your Height Accurate

Bridge warnings are only as good as the vehicle height in your profile. Double-check this value, especially:

  • After fitting new equipment (aerials, roof racks, exhaust stacks).
  • When switching trailers with different heights.
  • For refrigerated trailers with roof-mounted units.

Update your height in Vehicle Profiles.