What would happen if a power line snapped...?

Question

and hit a moving car?

Answer 1

Some cars have plastic bodies (Saturn), or the line *might* hit the glass; in which case (especially for a lower voltage power line) the line might simply bounce off as the car moved away.  

Click & Clack

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/A...

discuss tire insulation

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Answer 2

The car would be charged with electricity, the tires would (somewhat) conduct the electricity to the ground. If someone inside the car touched the metal frame of the car, they would be electrocuted. Otherwise they would be ok, as the car would turn into a Faraday cage, meaning all charge would be contained on the frame of the car.

Tires are rubber, but are made to have conductive properties. They are not complete insulators. The reason they conduct a small amount is so that static charge does not build up on the car from driving. This prevents static shock which could lead to fire, explosion, etc at the gas pump among other things.

Answer 3

Since the car is insulated from the road by the tires, not much other than scare the bejeezus out the occupants...

Just happened to have a video link handy showing this principle to the extreme.

Answer 4

probably nothing, the car is insulated from the ground by the tires. Some current would flow, as the tires are partially conductive.

Occupants should be ok, as the current will flow through the body of the car.

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