GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) — April is Distracted Driving Awareness month and AEP Ohio is urging drivers to pay attention to keep both themselves and line workers safe.

Director of Operations, Matt Bennett, said power outages caused by vehicles are up from the previous year in Central Ohio. In 2023, there were 254; last year, there were 272.

“We have the same dangers as the public, right? Our first and foremost is going to be safety,” Bennett said.

At the lineman training facility in Groveport, workers are trained for all different types of outages, including those caused by vehicles.

“We have to treat all wires no matter if they’re ours or somebody else’s. If they’re energized, anything that they’re touching can also be energized,” Bennett said.

Ohio strengthened its distracted driving law in 2023, making it a primary offense to use or hold a mobile device while driving. However, Bennett said this problem is persisting for them. There were 900 vehicle-related power outages across the state. He blames a lot of that on distracted driving.

“Slow down. That’s the biggest thing is we’re always in a hurry. The world’s moving fast, and pay attention to what you’re doing,” he said.

Bennett said while they’re aiming to bring these numbers down, they also want to keep the public safe when it does happen. AEP Ohio crews gave NBC4 a demonstration on what to do if you are involved in an accident with a utility pole.

“We want you to stay in the vehicle. That’s the safest place for you,” said Craig Williams, Line Crew Supervisor at AEP Ohio.

He said it’s best to wait for emergency responders to help you get out. However, if you feel like you’re in danger Williams said there are ways to get out safely. 

“Keep people away from the vehicle first and foremost,” he said.

The first step from Williams was to step to the very edge of the car and make sure you aren’t still attached to the vehicle by something like a seatbelt. From there, you want to jump out of the vehicle with both feet at the same time. The last step is to shuffle your feet away from the vehicle. 

“Don’t panic. Call 911. 911 operators will be able to talk you through this and help you through this as well,” Bennett said.