POTHOLES!

Pothole season is arriving early thanks to above-average snowfall blanketing the Northeast this winter. With plows pounding the roads and pavement cracking from recent freeze and thaw cycles, drivers are in for a bumpy ride before spring. Potholes form when water penetrates the road surface through cracks and crevices. When that water freezes, it expands, breaking up the pavement, which then gets battered by vehicles. Typically, potholes rapidly multiply in mid- to late-March as winter turns to spring. This year, conditions are already prime for pothole formation due to major snowstorms followed by temperature swings above and below freezing. Driving into a pothole can be costly: Potholes routinely cause major damage to wheels, tires and suspension components. Exceptionally large potholes can cause a vehicle to bottom out and result in severe damage to the undercarriage. Potholes can also contribute to crashes if drivers lose control after driving into one or swerve trying to avoid them. An estimated 44 million U.S. drivers were hit with pothole repair bills in 2022, according to a recent AAA survey. In spring that year, AAA responded to 1.9 million tire-related roadside assistance calls across the U.S. — many stemming from pothole damage. “Thanks to drastic swings in temperature, driver concerns are quickly shifting from roads covered in snow to roads loaded with potholes,” said Mark Shieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “While potholes might seem unavoidable at this time of year, you can decrease the odds of hitting one by driving and reacting appropriately.” To avoid pothole damage:

• Adjust your driving habits. Slow down and increase the space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This gives you more time to spot a pothole and react to avoid it.
• Avoid driving into a puddle. Large puddles could hide deep potholes underneath the surface of the water.
• Be extra alert on days following heavy rain. Rainwater can rush into cracks and grooves and lift broken segments of pavement.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, usually indicated on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb. Low-profile tires are increasingly popular, but they’re more vulnerable to blowouts and damage.

If you can’t avoid hitting a pothole, try the following:

• Lift your foot off the gas and try to steer as straight as possible to prevent suspension damage. Slow down but avoid braking hard as you go over the pothole as that would compress your suspension and put extra force on tires.
• Pay attention to new or unusual noises or vibrations after driving through a pothole. If something feels off, it could be a sign of damage. Take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility for a thorough inspection.
• Report the pothole to authorities and file a damage claim if applicable. In some jurisdictions, drivers may be entitled to reimbursement for pothole damage repairs, but typically only under specific circumstances. In Massachusetts, potholes can be reported to MassDOT or city/town departments of public works.