It was just yesterday when the heavy snowfall kept us worried as long as driving on freeways was concerned. We used everything ranging from radial tires to tire-chain to keep us safe. Though the threat is no longer relevant, another problem is lingering from all that snowfall (and rain, for that matter): potholes.
Potholes are made by the expansion and contraction of groundwater, which seeps into the soil and sub-base below the pavement. During winter, when water under the pavement freezes, it takes up more space, thus causing the pavement to expand, bend, and crack. Then when the ice melts during summer or spring, the pavement contracts, and a raised hollow space is formed until a car drives over it. This crushes the pavement and a pothole is formed.
Potholes are not just normal annoyances or vexation to the eyes, they can cause serious damages to your car’s alignment, suspension systems, and wheels. According to a survey conducted by Trusted Choice and the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, during 2009-2014, half of all the US drivers reported damage caused by potholes. While the proportion of the damages varied as per the size of the potholes and the speeds at which the drivers hit, as per a 2014 press release from AAA, potholes are responsible for about $6.4 million of damage per year.
Here are few tips to help you keep your vehicle away from potholes until your city officials patch them:
Be a careful driver
While driving at freeways, make sure you never tailgate. If you’re closely following a vehicle, you won’t get the required time to react if a pothole appears. Hence, keep ample distance from the vehicle speeding ahead you and drive safe. There is another thing to be wary of - puddles. Puddles can seem to be innocent creatures - lying down without any intention to harm. But sometimes, they actually mask large potholes. So if you notice any, drive slowly - better like a tortoise.Remain watchful while on road
When on the road, make sure you keep your eyes peeled. If you see a pothole, try to avoid it. However, if a diversion isn’t possible, or taking such might make you collide with another vehicle, slow down and then try to go over the pothole. Reducing your speed while crossing over a pothole can immensely reduce the amount of damage done to your car. Damages to your vehicle from potholes can range from $100 for a new tire to thousands of dollars for serious damages like a misalignment of the steering system, and damages to suspensions. If you’ve hit a pothole at high speed, make sure you get your vehicle checked as soon as possible.Keep your hands firmly at 10 and 2
Always follow what your instructor taught you. Big potholes have the potential to turn your wheels to a completely new direction. If you don’t have a firm grip on your steering, you can swerve into another high-speed lane and collide with another vehicle. This could be very dangerous. Having a hard grip over the steering wheel can help you stay on the right path and avoid escalating pothole damage to collision damage.Conclusion
Try to be a good citizen and report any pothole you notice to the city’s Public Works Department or the state’s Department of Transportation. Fortunately, in some cities, you can be reimbursed for damages caused to your vehicle due to potholes.Blog Category