As Michigan’s rollercoaster winter weather continues, the brutal cycle of heavy snow, near record freezing temperatures and upcoming warming trends is a perfect recipe for more potholes to pop up on Michigan roads.
Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. As temperatures rise and fall, the moisture expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This breaks up the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing vehicles, eventually results in a pothole.
To aid motorists in protecting their vehicles from pothole damage, AAA Michigan recommends the following:
- Be aware on the roadways; what may look like a slight puddle of water may very well be a deep pothole.
- Have your tires checked to make sure they are properly inflated. Maintaining the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is the best shield between your vehicle and a pothole.
- Make a point of checking the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver may have time to avoid potholes, so it’s important to stay focused on the road and not any distractions inside or outside the vehicle. Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check surrounding traffic to ensure this won’t cause a collision or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.
- Slow down – If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely being sure to check the rearview mirror before any abrupt braking. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels and suspension components
- Damage caused by a vehicle-to-pothole accident may vary. Repairs could be as simple as replacing a tire, to more costly and extensive damage to rims, suspension and even the undercarriage of the vehicle.
Additional reminders:
- Always travel with a cell phone and car charger.
- Road service requests can be submitted online at www.aaa.com or through the AAA mobile app device.
