Since January, Presidente Prudente has witnessed 43 incidents involving vehicles colliding with electric poles, leading to significant power outages for local residents. The latest incident occurred on Friday, involving a car striking a pole on Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, leaving more than 18,000 customers without electricity. The increasing frequency of these accidents raises concerns about public safety and the reliability of the power supply in the region.

Electric utility companies are taking measures to address these challenges, including automatic maneuvers from their Operation Center to minimize the impact of outages and restore service. Unfortunately, when the damage to power infrastructure is severe, it necessitates more extensive intervention, including replacing damaged poles and cables, which can prolong outages and disrupt service to more customers.

The trend of rising collisions not only affects the reliability of electricity supply but also presents a safety risk on the roads and highlights the need for improved infrastructure and awareness. Local authorities and utility providers may need to collaborate on preventive measures such as better signage, pole protection, or traffic management to mitigate the risks associated with these accidents.