(March 11, 2022) -Spring is just around the corner and many Tennesseans will soon, if they haven’t already, face a familiar obstacle on the roadway — potholes. A new survey from AAA found that last year, 1 in 10 drivers sustained vehicle damage significant enough to warrant a repair after hitting a pothole. With an average price tag of almost $600 per repair, damage caused by potholes cost drivers a staggering $26.5 billion in 2021 alone.
“Winter roads often give way to pothole-laden obstacle courses,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “When a vehicle hits a pothole with any kind of force, the tires, wheels and suspension get the brunt of the impact and repairs can be pricey.”
How Potholes Form
Cracked and crumbling pavement is the perfect environment for potholes to form. Moisture collects in these crevices and as temperatures fluctuate, it expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This breaks up the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, eventually results in a pothole. These concrete craters can wreak havoc on a vehicle’s tires, alignment, suspension and shocks.
How to Prepare for Pothole Season
In the winter and spring of 2021, AAA responded to 1.8 million tire-related roadside assistance calls. While AAA does not identify if a roadside assistance request is the result of pothole damage, this number represented 11% of the total calls received in the winter and spring last year.
“While potholes are a reality for many drivers, sustaining vehicle damage doesn’t have to be, “continued Cooper. “AAA recommends drivers pay extra attention to their tires and vehicle suspension and be extra vigilant in scanning the road ahead for potholes.”
Tire Checklist:
Tips for Drivers:
There may be times when you cannot avoid hitting a pothole. In that case, safely reduce your speed as much as possible and avoid braking abruptly, particularly as you go over the pothole as this compresses your suspension and adds extra force to the tire. Striking a pothole at higher speeds increases the chance of severe damage including knocking the wheels out of alignment, affecting the steering, and bending or even breaking suspension components.
Tennessee Roadway Tools
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