A tractor-trailer leaving the Maryland School for the Deaf and turning onto Old Montgomery Road in eastern Howard County hit a utility pole yesterday morning, causing electrical wires to land on the truck and blocking traffic into the evening, authorities said.

Although no fire resulted and no one was injured in the 9:30 a.m. accident, Howard County police closed Old Montgomery Road from Route 108 to Brightfield Road to allow the pole's replacement and other repairs. A Baltimore Gas and Electric spokeswoman said 1,400 customers lost power, though nearly all was restored by noon.

Just after that, however, another equipment failure occurred nearby, knocking out power to 1,200 customers near the Dobbin Road intersection with Route 175 in east Columbia - including the Motor Vehicle Administration office and other commercial customers - into the evening.

The BGE spokeswoman said power was expected to be fully restored last night.