Hotline of power engineering specialists:
The number of road accidents involving the arrival of vehicles on power lines in the service area of IDGC of Centre - Belgorodenergo division in the first quarter increased by one third compared to the same period last year. From January to March in the region 21 poles were knocked down. The total amount of damage was 97.4 thousand rubles.
Last year, 149 power lines were damaged as a result of traffic accidents. Their recovery took 2.2 million rubles. The maximum number of cases occurred in Belgorodsky, Starooskolsky and Shebekinsky districts. According to all the facts, claims were filed to territorial Departments of Internal Affairs, material claims were brought against the guilty persons.
The main reason for the hits of motor vehicles on power line poles is a violation of traffic rules. In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, the driver faces an administrative fine, up to the loss of a driver’s license in the event of driving while intoxicated.
For the damaged power equipment the violator is brought to responsibility according to Art. 9.7 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation - damage to power grids with a fine from 1 to 1.5 thousand rubles from individuals, or from 20 to 30 thousand rubles, if the damage occurred due to the fault of a legal entity. In addition, the offender is obliged to reimburse the cost of the actual restoration of the knocked down pole.
Considering that the cause of accidents is most often elementary carelessness, the power engineers urge drivers to be attentive on the roads. In case of a collision with a power line pole, it is not recommended to hide from the scene of the incident and thereby aggravate your guilt. It is necessary to immediately contact the traffic police, the police or the Distribution Zone. However, the main problem is that, when hitting power line poles, drivers put their lives in mortal danger, because the lines are live. Remember this and follow the rules of the road!
