Winter wonderlands are beautiful, but they can be a driving nightmare. Snow, slush, ice and wind make driving more stressful and hazardous. If you are in an accident involving a utility pole, your vehicle may be charged with electricity. If this is the case and you step out of the car, you will become the electricity’s path to the ground and could be electrocuted.

While downed lines sometimes reveal they are “live” by arcing and sparking with electricity, this is not always the case. Power lines do not always show signs that they are live, but they are just as lethal.

Stay in the car if you are in an accident with a power pole. Warn those who try to help that they must stay far away from the vehicle. Call 911 for help, and wait until a utility professional tells you it is safe to leave the car.

The exception to this rule is if your car is on fire.

In that case, jump clear of the vehicle without touching it and the ground at the same time. Then “bunny hop” away with your feet together to safety.

This way there will not be a voltage difference between your two feet, which would give electricity the chance to flow through your body.