5 ms·

Dumb question, why must a driver hop away from a damaged vehicle?

• sjm-lbm 9y ago
  It means the driver is never part of a conductive path between the car and the ground.
  • HeyLaughingBoy 9y ago
    Or between different parts of the "ground" that are at different potentials.
• deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
• mrestko 9y ago
  Theoretically, if there was a short to ground, a voltage potential could develop between the two legs if the driver took a step away from the car. By hopping and landing with feet together, both legs will always be at the same potential so no current should run through the legs even if the immediate area around the car is energized.
  • jdietrich 9y ago
    It looks absurd, but it's standard advice if a backhoe or crane hits a power line. https://youtu.be/Xvlk_73bSvc?t=2m31s https://youtu.be/Xvlk_73bSvc?t=2m31s
    • jacquesm 9y ago
      And why you should keep your feet together when there is a thunderstorm. An impact near you can still kill you if your feet are apart.