Atlanta

AAA puts out warning to drivers after reported damages from potholes soar more than 50%

ATLANTA — AAA is putting out a warning to drivers to watch out for potholes after a more than a 50% increase in vehicle damages across the U.S. this past year.

A new survey from the automobile club found “the number of drivers who sustained vehicle damage from a pothole requiring a repair soared 57%.”

“Potholes can wreak havoc on your vehicle,” AAA’s Montrae Waiters said. “Driving over one of these can cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs. So be sure to keep a look out for these hazardous holes in the roads and be safe when driving around them.”

The survey found an estimated 44 million U.S. drivers were hit with pothole repair bills, up from 28 million in 2021.

The average price for repairs for $406 per each one, AAA said.

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AAA says there are several ways that you can try to avoid damage from potholes:

  • Check your tires- this 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 using a quality gauge. Do so before driving when 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. If your vehicle pulls to the left or right, have the wheel alignment checked by a trusted mechanic.

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.
  • Increase your following distance so you can see potholes as they appear from under vehicles ahead of you.
  • Avoid driving through standing water when possible. Standing water or puddles may disguise a deep pothole. If you can’t avoid the area, drive through slowly and treat it as though there may be a pothole hiding beneath the water.
  • If you can’t avoid hitting a pothole, safely reduce your speed and avoid braking abruptly, particularly as you go over the pothole. 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.
  • 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.

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