Experts have called on local authorities to urgently address issues with "substandard" bridges or thousands of drivers could be involved in serious accidents.
Almost 3,000 of the 73,000 bridges that local authorities are responsible for are deemed to be "substandard".
Data from the RAC Foundation found that 4.3 per cent of all bridges across Great Britain are unable to carry the heaviest vehicles on the roads.
Drivers looking to invest in new cars tend to be going for larger, SUV-type vehicles, it could mean that bridges and roads need to be able to withstand heavier weights more often.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
There are fears that accidents could become more likely on substandard bridges
GETTY
Many experts have called on local authorities to take steps to address issues with the potentially dangerous bridges to ensure further damage is not done.
John Kushnick, legal operations director at National Accident Helpline, spoke to GB News about how the shocking number of dangerous bridges could lead to a dramatic increase in road traffic accidents.
He said: "The number of unsafe bridges is concerning and with so many road safety accidents already, we cannot afford to add another risk to the public’s health and safety to the mix.
"It’s crucial that any unsafe bridges are reported to the local council, some can’t hold 44-tonne lorries (the heaviest vehicles allowed on public roads), others are showing visible damage, and some have already been cordoned off due to safety restrictions."
He added that local authorities and the national Government should endeavour to protect motorists from poor quality infrastructure.
Certain kinds of accidents are more common on bridges because of the limited space, meaning drivers may not be able to manoeuvre out of the way.
Drivers of larger vehicles like vans, buses and HGVs are particularly susceptible to being involved in a "shunting" incident because there isn't much space to avoid a collision.
Kushnick continued, saying: "Similarly, there is a risk that your car may be forced over the edge as a result of an accident.
"Although less common, bridges have been known to collapse when holding too much weight, or when their structural stability is affected in some other way.
"If an accident does occur due to an unsafe or substandard bridge, it’s vital that those involved claim compensation."
Research from the National Accident Helpline found that 12 per cent of Britons do not claim for accidents because they are worried about lawyers and the legal system.
While there have not been any reports of bridges collapsing, there have been 14 partial collapses, five of which were in Aberdeenshire.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Some bridges have already had to close to motor traffic, including the Hammersmith Bridge
PA
Budget constraints are hampering councils from fixing many of the substandard bridges, with estimates that only 387 of them will have work carried out on them within the next five years.