Downed Power Lines Make Auto Accidents More Deadly

If you were paying attention to the news over the holidays, you probably heard a number of stories about downed power lines and even utility poles and how they were wreaking havoc by cutting off electricity for people.
In Michigan, New York, Maine, and other areas of the country, hundreds of thousands of people got a black Christmas to go along with a white one as snow and ice caused damage to power lines and left them without heat or electricity. Similar stories can be found about Toronto, Ireland, and other areas around the globe, and emergency services are being severely taxed to make sure that people have the access to food, warmth, and running water that they need.

What often gets lost in these big, scary stories is how much more dangerous downed power lines and utility poles make car crashes and even just driving around. You may know that you’re supposed to avoid live power lines when they fal
l to the ground or risk electrocution, but that’s something that isn’t as easy when you’re driving in a large car – and it’s something you might have little control over if you’re involved in an accident that puts you in the path of a live wire.

Some Learn Firsthand About Live Wire Dangers in Accidents

Getting into a car accident is scary enough without having to worry about getting electrocuted, as well. Unfortunately, that’s something that happens to far too often to many people in our country when storms cause damage or someone crashes into a utility pole.

Matthew Emery’s pickup was trapped beneath a 34,500 volt transmission line this past spring, and he couldn’t move until utility workers removed it. In 2009, two teenagers were lucky enough to have just watched a video on electric safety before hitting a utility pole. They not only knew to stay inside, but actually warned other people to keep back.

These kinds of accidents cause strong feelings of helplessness much of the time, both for those directly involved and for bystanders who can’t risk trying to help because they might get seriously hurt, as well.

That’s exactly what happened earlier this month in Houston, when a witness saw a utility pole fall and crash onto a woman’s SUV. She was about to exit her vehicle until the witness yelled to stay inside and wait. Neither could do anything until professional utility workers got there and cut the power out. The energy company responsible for the fallen pole, Center Point Energy, had previously received complaints from neighbors about poles that were leaning,and they are reportedly looking into the matter.

But is that enough? Doesn’t it seem like there is more that could be done? In fact, there is.

Solve the Power Line Problem by Looking Down

Studies have shown that areas with underground power lines rather than overhead poles are safer, have better reliability, and cause property values to go up. Additionally, underground lines don’t require as much surrounding space for installation, safety, maintenance, and repair – 1 to 10 meters as opposed to 20 to 100 meters. Not a small difference.

So why aren’t we just replacing all of the old aboveground lines that are subject to damage from weather and impact? Simple: money.

Underground lines are significantly more expensive, and people just don’t want to pay to make the change. It’s not just a question of local governments with tight purse strings either. In one area of Florida, many residents were determined to change to underground power lines because of the frequent disruptions they had due to strong storms. But as soon as they saw the price tag, they became far more hesitant.

Some have suggested making changes in regulations to lower the cost of underground power lines, but unless such a measure comes from the federal government and is supported by states, all that will give us is more of the current patchwork quilt where areas that can afford underground lines and those that can’t still have to put up with the dangers that utility poles present.

Solutions for the Short Term

Perhaps the best short term solution is to expand education efforts about the dangers of downed power lines and remind people to stay in their vehicles if a live wire is damaged in an auto accident. This can include both commercials about the issue and extra signage in areas with utility poles and overhead wiring. It may not stop the problem, but such an effort should at least make a difference.