BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's that time of year again. Pothole season.
And more people are having to get their vehicles repaired after hitting a pothole, according to AAA.
AAA says nearly 2 in 10 drivers had to get their vehicles fixed last year after hitting a pothole. They say an estimated 44 million drivers have experienced some vehicle damage due to a pothole that required a repair in 2022. That's up from 28 million in 2021 which is a 57% increase.
"At the end of the winter, that freeze-thaw cycle is really where they start popping. We had a pretty mild February in terms of snow levels which we know, and we didn't have a lot of calls, I think less than half the calls that we had last year for potholes, which I hope might be a good sign for the season, but our team is out there all the time, throughout the entire year filling them," Buffalo Public Works Commissioner Nathan Matron said to 2 On Your Side.
The average cost to repair pothole damage in 2022 was $406, according to AAA's data.
AAA has some tips on how to protect your car from pothole damage.
Check your tires, which includes tread depth, tire pressure, suspension, and alignment.
- Tread depth—insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, start shopping for new tires.
- Tire pressure—check this at least once a month before driving when the tires have been at rest and are not hot. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure found on a sticker inside the driver’s side door.
- Suspension and Alignment—look for changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven wearing of tires, all indications of a problem with the suspension like alignment or shocks.
Keep your eyes on the road. An alert and cautious driver is less likely to hit a pothole.
- Scan the road ahead for potholes and if it’s safe to do so, drive around any in your path.
- Standing water or puddles may disguise a deep pothole. Avoid driving through standing water when possible but if you can’t, drive through slowly.
- If you can’t avoid a pothole, reduce your speed safely and avoid braking abruptly, particularly as you go over the pothole. Striking a pothole at higher speeds increases the chance of knocking the wheels out of alignment, affecting the steering, and bending or even breaking suspension components.
- If you hit a pothole, pay attention to any new or unusual noises or vibrations. If you detect something is off with your vehicle, take it to a trusted repair facility for a full vehicle inspection as soon as possible.
