Why Cut the Battery Cable of a Wrecked Car?

Cutting the battery cable of a wrecked car reduces the danger to victims and rescuers.

Emergency personnel responding to car accidents will often cut the battery cable of a badly damaged car, especially if fluids are leaking or rescuers have to cut into the car to get someone out. They do this for safety reasons.

Significance

After a crash, if the battery is still connected to a wrecked car's electrical system, then that system will remain "live." Damaged wiring can produce sparks and short circuits as long as the electricity is flowing.

Dangers

An auto battery does not produce voltage high enough to electrocute a person, according to the University of Hawaii. However, live wires in a damaged vehicle pose other dangers. Sparks can ignite spilled gasoline. A short-circuit could cause an undeployed air bag to activate, injuring rescuers. A short-circuit could also cause the battery itself to explode, producing shrapnel and spraying battery acid.

Solution

Cutting the battery cable stops the flow of electricity in the car's wiring, reducing the dangers to crash victims and emergency responders.

References

• University of Hawaii: Batteries in Fact and Fiction
• Chicago Tribune: Black Box Survives Crash and Rescue Work
• Hondo Volunteer Fire Department: Training Together for the Big Ones