A survey carried out by Enel Distribuição São Paulo revealed an increase in the number of collisions with electricity grid poles in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Between January and March of this year, 154 cases were recorded, an increase of 14% compared to the same period in 2024, when 135 collisions occurred.
In 2024, throughout the year, 549 collisions with poles were recorded in the distributor's concession area, with the city of São Paulo leading the ranking, recording 376 occurrences.
The ranking of the five cities with the most cases is made up of Osasco (28 cases), São Bernardo do Campo (22), Santo André (19) and Cotia (13). The number for the year was 9,8% higher than that of 2023, when there were 500 collisions with poles.
According to Enel, the data is worrying, as the impacts of these incidents go beyond damage to the electrical infrastructure. Each collision can cause interruptions in the power supply and pose risks to the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
The company reinforces the importance of preventive measures to reduce these incidents, including awareness about safe driving and respect for traffic laws.
According to Márcio Jardim, Operations and Maintenance Director at Enel São Paulo, the average time to carry out repairs or replace a pole is eight hours. “A downed pole means hours of work for maintenance teams.”
“Often, it is not just the equipment that needs to be completely replaced, but the entire electrical network that was connected to it. There are even more complex cases, in which our teams need to wait for the police investigation before starting work, which increases the time that customers are without power,” he said.
Post-collision procedures
When a pole is damaged by a collision, the Enel must be notified in order to carry out its replacement. The dealership will immediately send a team to the location to carry out the necessary repairs, both on the equipment and on the electrical network affected by the incident.
After registering the vehicle's license plate and taking photos of the accident, the operating costs generated, including everything from the first response to the replacement or repair of the pole and/or electrical network, are passed on to the company's Legal department, which collects the amount from the vehicle owner.
Damaged posts are sent to a recycling company, where the waste is transformed and reused in construction. This practice not only prevents the improper disposal of materials, but also promotes the circular economy, contributes to environmental sustainability and encourages the conscious use of natural resources.
Guidelines
To raise awareness and mobilize society in favor of safer traffic, Enel Distribuição São Paulo has also prepared guidelines for the population in cases of accidents involving poles:
- In the event of an accident with a pole, if the equipment or cables fall, try to stay inside the vehicle, without touching the metal parts, until the company's teams assist you;
- You must not touch cables that are on the ground, on the car or under damaged structures;
- Never attempt to isolate the area;
- In the case of pedestrians passing by the location, the company warns them not to approach and to call for help immediately;
- Keep your vehicle up to date with maintenance, checking the condition of the tires, brakes, headlights and mirrors;
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol, medication or any other toxic substance;
- Do not use a cell phone while driving. In addition to putting your life, pedestrians' lives and other drivers' lives at risk, the Traffic Law considers this practice a very serious offense;
- Pay attention to road and weather conditions. Drive carefully if the road is wet or foggy;
- Slow down and keep your distance from other vehicles;
- Always respect traffic signs and speed limits on roads, on any day, place and time.
To report incidents involving pole collisions and other incidents related to the electricity grid. Enel Distribution Sao Paulo, please contact us by phone 0800 72 72 196.
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