Accidents involving vehicles and powerlines can be extremely dangerous. While powerlines may appear harmless when on the ground, they can still be live and deadly.

Know what to do if your vehicle comes into contact with the electricity network to keep yourself and bystanders safe.

What to do if your vehicle contacts powerlines

If your vehicle makes contact with a powerline, follow these critical steps to stay safe:

Stay. Call. Wait.

STAY in the vehicle.
Do not exit unless there is an immediate threat (e.g. fire). The vehicle may be energised — leaving it could result in electrocution.

CALL Triple Zero (000).
Tell them your vehicle has contacted powerlines. Emergency services will coordinate with Essential Energy to make the area safe.

WAIT for help.
Stay calm and remain inside until emergency crews confirm it’s safe to exit.

Stay. Call. Wait. It’s important that you stay in the vehicle wherever there is no life-threatening situation, call 000 and wait until emergency services arrive and Essential Energy gives the all-clear to leave the vehicle.

Emergency escape procedure

What to do if your vehicle comes into contact with the network and if it’s life threatening

Follow the emergency escape procedure:

1. Stay in your vehicle and call 000 immediately. Keep bystanders at least 8 metres away.
2. If escape is absolutely necessary (e.g. because of fire), jump well clear to avoid contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time (do not touch the vehicle when jumping out).
3. When you jump, land with your feet together. Do not touch the vehicle, fall or allow your feet to step apart.
4. You must shuffle or jump, with your feet together until you are at least 8 metres clear of the vehicle, powerlines or anything else the powerlines may be touching (fences, trees, etc).
5. Once clear, do not return to the vehicle for any reason.
6. Call Essential Energy on 132080.
7. Remember to never approach a vehicle to assist in an evacuation and always treat powerlines as if they are ‘live’.

Stay safe on the road

• Drive safely on the roads – plan your journey and take regular breaks to avoid driver fatigue.
• Exercise caution when travelling in poor conditions – storms, heavy rain and bushfires can create additional hazards on the road which should be considered while travelling.
• Consider postponing your trip if severe weather is forecast where you will be driving.
• Take particular care when travelling late at night or early in the morning – power poles can be difficult to spot in low light.
• If you see damaged powerlines, keep well clear – at least 8 metres away – they could still be live. Call Essential Energy immediately on 132080.

To find out more about community safety matters, call 132391 and ask to speak to a member of the Public Safety team, or email [email protected].

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