It has been well documented that motor vehicle collisions with fixed objects accounted for a disproportionate number of fatalities and injuries relative to their occurrence. One of the most frequently struck fixed objects is poles, including utility poles, light standards and signs, with high resultant injury severity.

A study on motor vehicle collisions with poles along highways was recently completed by Southwest Research Institute for the U.S. Department of Transpurtation. The study addresses the extent of the pole accident problem, including accident and injury severity rates associated with pole accidents;​ assesses highway design and operational characteristics associated with pole accident occurrence;​ and evaluates pole performance in terms of vehicle damage characteristics and injury severity. The results of the study are summarized in this paper with special emphasis on vehicle damage and injury severity characteristics of pole impacts.