Hoping to put the brakes on deaths from auto accidents involving power lines, the Illinois Electric Council's Safe Electricity Program is teaming up with Illinois high school and college driver education programs. More than 700 instructional videotapes and material packets have been distributed for use in educating drivers about the hazards of downed power lines and how to survive an accident involving downed power lines.

Illinois motorists hit power poles more than 7,000 times each year, according to Illinois Department of Transportation statistics. Ice and thunderstorms, wind, tree limbs and other debris can bring power lines down on or around vehicles. Electrocution deaths related to these accidents could be prevented with education and awareness.

In these kinds of accidents involving power lines, our natural inclination to get out and get away can lead to tragic results. Getting out of the vehicle, with few exceptions, is the wrong thing to do until the line has been de-energized. Knowing the right steps to take can save your life. The goal of this joint safety-education program is to drive this point home.

Mason Minnes, President of the Illinois Driver Education Association is appreciative of the material and assistance driver education instructors are receiving from Safe Electricity. The instructor material includes summary points about proper steps to take and extensive question/answer material for use in classroom discussions. The accompanying videotape can be a good way to start that discussion.

Launched in May 2001, the Safe Electricity program was less than a year old when a series of fatal accidents involving downed power lines prompted the program to focus outreach activities on this issue. In addition to a news release and additional Web site content, the program began discussions with the Illinois Secretary of State's office, State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Driver's Education Association. Television and radio public service announcements were sent out statewide.

How to survive an accident involving downed power lines

• You are almost always better off to stay in the car, especially if the line is in contact with the vehicle.

• Call or signal for help. It is safe to use a cell phone if you have one.

• Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off.

• If the power line is still energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path for that electricity and electrocution is the tragic result. Wait until the electric utility arrives.

• The only exception would be if fire or other danger, like the smell of gasoline, is present. In that case, the proper action is to jump - not step - with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the vehicle and ground at the same time. Shuffle or hop to safety keeping both feet together as you leave the area. Like the ripples in a pond or lake, the voltage diminishes the farther out it is from the source. Stepping from one voltage level to another allows the body to become a path for that electricity.

• Even if a power line has landed on the ground, there is still the potential for the area near your car to be energized. Stay inside the vehicle unless there's fire or imminent risk of fire.

• The same rules apply with situations involving farm equipment and construction equipment that comes in contact with overhead lines. Those working with large equipment should stay inside the vehicle if equipment extensions come in contact with power lines.

Molly Hall is the Director of Safe Electricity. E-mail: molly-hall@ Safe Electricity. org. For more information on these and other kinds of situations involving electricity visit www. SafeElectricity. org.

14 / Illinois Country Living / www.icl.coop