Question regarding power blackouts in Perth caused by vehicle collisions and deliberate damage, and subsequent charges laid. The answer provides data on deliberate damage but deflects on vehicle collisions and charges.

AnsweredQoN 6440Legislative Assembly
Asked
8 October 2020
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Industrial Relations

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to power blackouts in the Perth
metropolitan region and ask for each of the past four years: (a) how many power blackouts have been caused by
hoon drivers running into power poles; (b) how many power blacksouts were due to
deliberate damage; and (c) how many instances were charges subsequently
laid against hoon drivers and for deliberate damage to power poles?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
10 November 2020
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Industrial Relations
Response time
10 days
(a) Western Power cannot comment on the intent of drivers whose vehicles come into contact with its network, and notes that fatigue, weather conditions and other factors may be contributing factors to incidents.
(b)  2017: 219 2018: 217 2019: 288 2020 (to date): 104
(c)   Western Power is not involved in the decision to press charges, and cannot provide this information. However, Western Power is within its rights to recoup any costs related to reinstating damaged infrastructure – though it does not do so from deceased estates.

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