Utility poles can also contribute to the severity of other crash types. Many crashes are not classified as ROR or fixed-object crashes where one or more vehicles strike a utility pole. Crashes are often classified by “first harmful event.” In some cases, striking the utility pole is a secondary event that may be as severe as, or more severe than, the first harmful event. Crashes involving utility poles as secondary events easily go unnoticed when examining the total magnitude of the utility pole crash problem. Utility pole crashes are fixed-object crashes that involve vehicles leaving the travel lane, encroaching on the roadside, and striking a utility pole.
Source: NCHRP Report 500, Volume 8: A Guide for Reducing Collisions Involving Utility Poles
Published: 2004
