CMP urges Maine drivers to be careful as power impacts mount - WMTW Portland

CMP urges Maine drivers to be careful, not hit utility poles

CMP urges Maine drivers to be careful as power impacts mount

Nearly 200,000 customers lost power due to crashes in 2022, CMP says

Updated: 9:41 AM EDT May 17, 2023

Central Maine Power is normally focused on delivering electricity, but they are now urging drivers to be careful on the roads.The plea from CMP comes after numerous recent crashes took out utility poles, knocking out power to thousands of Maine customers. The company says this past weekend alone there were seven crashes that impacted service for about 6,000 customers. Not including during major storms, CMP says there were 510 cases in 2022 in which a vehicle caused a power outage, affecting nearly 190,000 customers.“Safe driving not only helps ensure your personal health and wellbeing but also that of others,” said CMP spokesperson Jon Breed. “When one of our poles is damaged, we act quickly to make the area safe so first responders can conduct rescue operations. We then work to restore power to customers who may be affected by the crash. If even a single crash is prevented, that spares our customers from potential service disruption.”CMP says it typically costs about $5,000 to repair a utility pole after a crash, though that number can vary. A bill for repairs goes to the driver of the vehicle, and payment of the bill often involves the driver’s insurance company.“No one sets out to be in a crash, but when it happens, it can affect many other people besides just you,” said Lauren Stewart, Director of Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. “First responders and power company lineworkers must respond to restore power and clear the scene. You have one job when you’re behind the wheel: just drive."Top StoriesMaine man dies more than a month after falling into fire pitPolice: Maine man enters middle school bathroom, offers needles to girl'I want him to come home': Search for Windham man continues, dog found wandering North YarmouthSeveral bison put down after getting loose again in northern Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine —

Central Maine Power is normally focused on delivering electricity, but they are now urging drivers to be careful on the roads.

The plea from CMP comes after numerous recent crashes took out utility poles, knocking out power to thousands of Maine customers. The company says this past weekend alone there were seven crashes that impacted service for about 6,000 customers.

Not including during major storms, CMP says there were 510 cases in 2022 in which a vehicle caused a power outage, affecting nearly 190,000 customers.

“Safe driving not only helps ensure your personal health and wellbeing but also that of others,” said CMP spokesperson Jon Breed. “When one of our poles is damaged, we act quickly to make the area safe so first responders can conduct rescue operations. We then work to restore power to customers who may be affected by the crash. If even a single crash is prevented, that spares our customers from potential service disruption.”

CMP says it typically costs about $5,000 to repair a utility pole after a crash, though that number can vary. A bill for repairs goes to the driver of the vehicle, and payment of the bill often involves the driver’s insurance company.

“No one sets out to be in a crash, but when it happens, it can affect many other people besides just you,” said Lauren Stewart, Director of Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. “First responders and power company lineworkers must respond to restore power and clear the scene. You have one job when you’re behind the wheel: just drive."

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