Fire In Alexandria,VA After Semi Pulls Down Wires

"In Virginia, the standard minimum vertical clearance for overhead wires, cables, and utility lines crossing public streets, roads, or areas subject to truck traffic is 18 feet."

Several years ago, I saw Overnite Transportation make a town pay for the danage in situation like this. One of their local driver was making a delivering when he hung some low hanging wires. Not only did he hang the wires, He pulled the pole down with a transformer on the pole. The transformer went thru the roof of the trailer. Guess who paid for all the danage, The town!!! Overnite told the driver, "don't worry about it, not your fault and the town is going to pay".

 

This actully just happened up near where i live. Contractor the local power company hired put a new line up over main street after it got downed by the wind. Local box truck went in to deliver to the bar in town as usual and ended up ripping the new wire and transformer down and caused a moderate fire that totaled the truck and damaged a building and a few vehicles.

Power company tried to sue the local driver and the company he worked for. Turns out their contractor put the power line at 12'9" when local requirements were 18 foot to save money using shorter poles. And the local delivery trucks are all around 13' tall.

Power company ended up having to replace the front of the store that was damaged, repair or replace i think 5 vehicles and 1 semi truck and trailer as well as an entore load of beer. It was quite the thing locally.

 

Why do you say danage it's damage!!

 

I am not as smart as you. OK?