Electric utility linemen know the risks of downed power lines, and through extensive training, they are able to de-energize the lines following storms or vehicle accidents. Teen drivers, however, may not be aware of what to do when their car accidentally crashes into a power pole or a severe storm blows down a line across the road.
To safeguard these new drivers, Ameren Illinois partnered with Puget Sound Energy and the Illinois High School & College Driver’s Education Association to create teaching materials that driver’s education instructors can use to educate their students about power-lines-on-car safety, says Brian Bretsch, communications executive for Ameren Illinois.
The project, which took about a year to complete, was led by Bretsch and support from the Ameren Illinois communications team, and Ben Cutler of Serafin & Associates, a Chicago-based consultant. Along with a link to the dynamic video, the team created a letter to the instructors from Richard J. Mark, Ameren Illinois chairman and president, a quiz, discussion points and an infographic. Starting on Aug. 19, the video and curriculum were rolled out through the association’s partnership to more than 500 instructors throughout Ameren Illinois’ service territory.
Sharing a Survival Story
Ameren Illinois decided to create the new safety module after meeting with Jordy Curtis, who survived a wire-down scenario during a severe summer storm a few years ago. The 16-year-old from Sidney, Illinois, was driving home when storms blew down power lines on top of her car.