Cuddy,

You took that electrocution risk like you knew what was working in your favor. You had TWO angels of physics working in your favor. The first is the insulation property of the rubber tires, even if wet, they don't conduct electricity. The second is that a metal car body creates a Faraday cage that causes electricity "voltage" and "current" to travel on the outside of the cars metal body, ie. it doesn't go inside the car.

A friend of mine had his car struck by lightning roughly five years ago while he was driving. There was a burn mark on the roof and multiple smaller burn marks along the rocker panels where the juice exited to the ground. He was not even slightly shocked but the sound pressure busted his ear drums. Unfortunately, the electromagnetic pulse fried every last piece of electronics in the car.

Also note that if the line was not "sparking" to the ground when you drove over it, it was turned off, unfortunately, that means that you probably damaged the insulation on the cable when you drove over it and it will cost the power company a few grand to replace it. I hope your profile doesn't include a name and home address! Don't disobey those pesky "Don't Go There" road signs! For your sake, I hope it wasn't a fiber optic communication trunk you drove over... talk about expense!

jorrell
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92 245 278K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!