What happens if powerline falls on car?

Call 911. When you do, let the dispatcher know you were in a vehicle accident and there’s a downed power line on your vehicle. If anyone begins to approach your vehicle, or tries to help you, warn them to stay at least 20 feet away from the power line and anything it may touch.

What is the safest option if a power line falls on your car?

If a downed power line falls on your car you should stay inside your car so long as it is safe to do so. Call 9-1-1 and the utility company. Honk or roll down your window to warn others to stay away. Remain in your vehicle until emergency responders and/or utility workers assure you it is safe to exit.

What should you do if there are fallen power lines on or near a crashed car?

What to do if power lines fall on your car

1. Stay inside the vehicle.
2. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the line.
3. Call or ask someone to call 9-1-1, who can contact your local electrical cooperative or utility company.
4. If you are standing on the ground, do not attempt to help someone else out of the car.

How long do downed power lines take to fix?

A distribution fuse can take a few minutes to repair; a distribution transformer can take a couple of hours to replace; but widespread damage to the transmission system can take days, weeks, or even months to repair.

Should you call 911 for a downed power line?

Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power line, and don’t go near the pole or anything touching the line. Call 911 immediately if a power line is down.

What happens when a power line falls on your car?

When a power line falls on your car, it often charges the metal parts of the car with electrical current, meaning that if you attempt to exit as you normally do, you will be electrocuted. After the line falls, look around the inside of your car and out the windows. If you don’t see flames or smoke, you aren’t in any immediate danger.

What should you do if you’re hit by a downed power line?

Good Samaritans may see that you’ve been in an accident and try to help you without noticing the downed power line on or near your car. If anyone begins to approach your vehicle, or tries to help you, warn them to stay at least 20 feet away from the power line and anything it may touch. Honk your horn, roll your window down and yell.

What should you do if a power line touches your car?

If anyone begins to approach your vehicle, or tries to help you, warn them to stay at least 20 feet away from the power line and anything it may touch. Honk your horn, roll your window down and yell. Doing so could save lives.

What to do if your car is on fire from power line?

Here’s what law enforcement experts recommend if your car is on fire from the downed power line, and you are inside. Open the door, but do not step out of the car. Make sure that you jump completely free of the vehicle with both feet together to avoid contact with the live car (metal) and the ground at the same time.