Potholes Giving You Problems?

Potholes are lurking, here, there, and everywhere. After a crazy winter we are dedicating this week’s blog to those pesky craters and what you can do as a driver to stay safe while traveling.

Many people often wonder how a pothole is created. First, water seeps down into the cracks of the pavement and expands once it is frozen. This causes the pavement to weaken due to the frozen water pushing the pavement apart. When a vehicle drives over those weak spots, the pavement can’t withstand the pressure and crumbles. And boom, massive crater in the road.

Avoiding potholes can be somewhat simple. Steer clear of puddles, water is great at hiding a pothole’s size and depth. Only drive through if you can see a thin layer of water.

Sometimes it is just inevitable that you hit a pothole. And sometimes it is at a speed faster than you would have liked. If this happens, pullover when it is safe to do so and look over your vehicle for tire or any exterior damage that may have occurred. Potholes can do damage to tires and alignment, both things must be fixed ASAP.

If you encounter a pothole you can call your local DOT or DPW and let them know about the road conditions. The more times a pothole is reported, the more motivation to fix the problem!