Safe & Sound

Know What To Do if Your Vehicle Hits a Utility Pole

Do you know how to react if your vehicle strikes a power pole? What should you do if you come upon an accident that involves a vehicle colliding with a pole?

South Alabama Electric Cooperative has seen its share of poles damaged by vehicle collisions. Accidents happen, and we want to make sure our members know how to stay safe in such situations.

When a vehicle hits a utility pole, the pole could split or fall. Power lines could end up draped across the vehicle or on the ground nearby, causing the area around the vehicle to become charged with energy. Anyone stepping within the area could be electrocuted.

Follow these tips to stay safe:

• Try to stay calm and call 911.
• If you are in a car that has struck a pole, wait for someone from the electric utility to tell you it’s safe to leave the car. Downed lines do not always show signs of being live, even though they are.
• If a vehicle collision involves other electrical equipment — pad-mounted transformer boxes, underground utility boxes, or even guy wires — there could still be a risk even if there are no downed power lines.
• Warn those who try to come near your car to stay far away.
• The only exception to staying inside the vehicle is if there is smoke or fire coming from it. Under those circumstances, according to safeelectricity.org, jump clear of the vehicle without touching it and the ground at the same time. Then, hop or shuffle away, keeping your feet together. This prevents a voltage difference between your feet, which gives electricity the chance to flow through your body.
• If you witness a vehicle striking a power pole, do not approach the accident to try to help, as you could be putting your own life at risk. Stay back at least 50 feet and call 911.