A safety campaign has begun in Australia around vehicles becoming electrified after crashing into a power pole and bringing down live wires.
While electrified vehicles usually mean electrically powered ones, this Queensland campaign involves any vehicle which hits a power pole which could give occupants and those coming to their aid a nasty shock.
With dozens of Queenslanders crashing vehicles into the state’s power poles last Easter, a campaign has begun there to warn drivers about what to do if they hit electricity infrastructure.
If that does happen, the critical message for drivers and passengers is that the safest place to be is in the vehicle, energy minister Dr Anthony Lynham says.
“Drivers hit parts of the state’s power network more than 50 times last Easter school holidays,” he says.
“As we head into the holidays, I urge everyone to be aware of the risks and take note of the safety message that this campaign is delivering: Stay in the car, call 000 and wait for help.”
Many people mistakenly think if their vehicle hits the powerline network that power is automatically turned off and that it is safe to leave their vehicle, Lynham says.
“This is incorrect – powerlines can still be energised and the electricity can then travel through the metal of the vehicle body and through the ground.
“And bystanders are at risk as well of receiving electric shocks or worse if they touch the vehicle.”
Member for Greenslopes and former registered nurse Joe Kelly says it is human nature in any emergency for bystanders to want to help.
“I know that as a nurse, and like most people, my first reaction would be to go to the people in the vehicle to see if I can help,” he says.
“But in these situations, the best thing anyone can do for those people, and any other bystander, is keep yourself and anyone else at least 10 metres from the vehicle and the damaged power equipment and call 000.
“I’ve seen what electric shocks can do, and I urge everyone to take heed of the message.”
Lynham says if people inside the crashed vehicle needed to get out because of fire or a life-threatening hazard, they should follow a process to minimise the risk of shock or electrocution.
“Jump clear of the vehicle, being very careful not to touch the vehicle and ground at the same time,” he says.
“Once you are clear of the vehicle, either shuffle your feet along the ground or jump until you are at least 10 metres away from any danger.”
The 12-week campaign includes TV, radio, cinema, social media, digital and service station advertising in selected areas.
It’s part of an ongoing safety awareness campaign that started in September with powerline storm safety, and which continues throughout the year.
Visit www.energex.com.au for more information.
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