5 Tips to Sidestep Damage from Potholes
It’s that time of year where a simple commute to work can introduce you to a growing number of potholes each day. In the weeks leading up to Spring, temperatures can fluctuate wildly; and those mercurial temps, together with road treatments and precipitation create the ideal conditions for road deterioration. It’s no surprise that 2018 has proven a record year for potholes due to the excessive number of freeze/thaw cycles we’ve experienced. And despite road crews patching roughly 60-70 highways a week, they can barely keep pace with the speed of road deterioration.
Potholes can be particularly concerning since they have the ability to do as much damage to a vehicle as if it were hit by another car going 35mph. Unfortunately, damages to a vehicle due to potholes cannot be recouped from government agencies and are the driver’s responsibility, so you’ll want to do your best to ensure that damage to your vehicle (and others) is avoided. Here are some tips:
- If you’re unable to avoid a pothole, slow down before driving over it. The faster you’re driving when you hit a pothole, the worse the damage to your vehicle is likely to be.
- Be sure to firmly grip the steering wheel while driving over a pothole to prevent losing control of your vehicle.
- Do not hit your brakes once your car comes in contact with a pothole as this may cause more damage.
- Be sure your tires are properly inflated. This gives your car added protection from damage due to potholes.
- Leave sufficient following space between your car and the one in front of you. In the event that vehicle hits a pothole, it will give you time to react and avoid damage to your car and others.