In the United States, automobile use is extensive and pervasive. Vehicle accidents are such a common occurrence that they are considered an unavoidable part of normal activity. As a result, there is a legal duty to provide safe roadways that are clear of undue hazards.
Transportation policy and design standards reflect this by recommending the provision of a “clear zone” along the edge of the road. According to the Federal Highway Administration, a clear zone is an “unobstructed, traversable roadside area that allows a driver to stop safely, or regain control of a vehicle that has left the roadway.”
Nonetheless, along many public roadways in New England and across the United States, above-ground utility infrastructure is located inappropriately close to vehicular traffic, creating a potential hazard. Impact with utility poles is a major category of vehicular accidents, including a large share of fatal crashes. As such, roadway jurisdictions and utility companies should share responsibility for the damages incurred from these collisions.
Recommended For You
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader
Your access to unlimited PropertyCasualty360 content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
