The best way of surviving an auto accident involving electrical equipment is to stay in your vehicle until assistance arrives.
If you come across an auto accident involving a power pole, fallen line or transformer
- Treat the vehicle as if it is energized.
- Stay back at least 10 metres.
- Call 911.
If you are involved in an accident involving a power pole, fallen line or transformer
- Electricity can travel through the ground to you, so stay inside your vehicle and call 911.
- Wait in the vehicle until assistance arrives and we advise you that it is safe to get out. Fallen lines may still be energized even if they don't appear to be live.
If there is a fire or medical emergency and you must exit the car
- Open the car door all the way while seated. Look up and around to ensure you can exit the car without contacting the fallen line.
- Stand on the frame of the car with your arms close to your body or crossed over your chest. Slide your feet together.
- Jump out of the car with your feet together and your arms touching your body. Never make contact with the car and the ground at the same time.
- Hop or shuffle quickly away, keeping your feet together.
- Move at least 10 metres away from the scene. Slowly slide your feet apart. If you feel tingling, put your feet back together and hop farther away until you no longer feel the tingling sensation.
- Once you are a safe distance away, call 911.
This is a very dangerous manoeuvre that should only be used as a last resort. To watch how this manoeuvre is safely done, view our Auto Accidents and Electrical Safety video.
