A rise in vehicles crashing into power poles during icy weather has prompted North Canterbury lines company MainPower to issue a warning to drivers.
Acting Chief Executive Damien Whiffen said there were four separate car versus pole incidents within a three hour window recently, all due to slick roads and poor visibility.
“These crashes are not just inconvenient. They are costly, dangerous, and disruptive,” Whiffen said.
Replacing a single electricity pole can cost between $10,000 and $30,000 or more, depending on the type of pole, he said. That does not include the wider social and economic impact.
MainPower, which supplies electricity to more than 42,000 homes and businesses across North Canterbury and Kaikōura, said its crews are often first on the scene before emergency services. In serious or fatal crashes, line crews can be forced to wait hours for crash investigators before they are allowed to begin repairs.
A standard repair takes around five hours and typically requires a team of three or four overhead workers, traffic management, and sometimes subsurface crews if the road has been damaged. If a transformer pole is hit, or multiple poles are downed, the job can take more than ten hours.
Power outages can affect entire communities and leave medically dependent customers in dangerous situations.
“Medically dependent customers may need to leave their homes to access life-saving equipment elsewhere,” Whiffen said.
He urged all customers to create a No Power Plan.
“It is similar to an emergency kit but on a smaller scale. It can be referred to during planned power outages as well as unexpected ones. You should know where your torch is, and be aware of simple tips like keeping your freezer closed during an outage. A No Power Plan can save lives and reduce the inconvenience of an outage.”
MainPower reminded drivers that they are responsible for the damage if they hit a power pole. Those who are uninsured or under the influence may face significant personal liability.
“It is not uncommon for drivers to flee the scene,” Whiffen said.
He pointed to a recent crash on Powers Road, where a vehicle took out four power poles and disrupted services to multiple properties. The driver had fled by the time MainPower crews arrived.
“The cost to repair that damage is now socialised across the network. That is not fair or equitable for our community.”
Whiffen said safety must always come first. If a driver hits a pole, they should stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency crews to arrive, as downed lines can be deadly.
“Our crews work all hours in all weather to restore power quickly and safely. They are pretty legendary.”
MainPower recorded nine pole strikes last month, more than double the usual number. Drivers are being urged to slow down and drive to the conditions.
“When a car hits a pole, the impact is felt far beyond the crash site.”
