CRESTWOOD, Mo. – Whether it’s a car crash or a powerful storm, power poles are routinely damaged. In some cases, the result is power lines coming into contact with vehicles.
Ameren Illinois spokesman Brian Bretsch said approximately 3,000 power poles are struck by vehicles leaving the road in Illinois each year.
The company recently surveyed driver education programs to see if new drivers were receiving safety messages about downed power lines and cars.
“Some said yes, but a vast majority said no,” Bretsch said.
The company travels to schools to educate teens and produced a video to improve awareness. Anyone can access the educational information, which includes a downloadable pocket card.
One of the biggest safety messages includes telling drivers if they ever end up in a car contacting downed power lines, stay put and call 911.
“Stay inside your vehicle where you’re safe,” Bretsch added.
Assistant Chief Scott Barthelmass with Eureaka Fire Protection District said even firefighters well educated about power line dangers have made mistakes.
“There have been some line-of duty deaths,” he said.
He echoes the advice of staying put unless there’s an imminent danger, such as a fire.
“Accidents happen, but we don’t want them to be tragic accidents,” he said.
For more information about staying safe, you can watch this video targeted at younger drivers. This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week.
