Potholes are a pain for our cars and a drain on our wallets.
AAA says a new study they conducted revealed drivers spend about $3 billion annually across the United States to fix damage to their vehicles that was caused by potholes.
The travel organization expects the costs to rise even higher in the years ahead.
“On average, American drivers report paying $300 to repair pothole-related vehicle damage,” noted Susan Hiltz, AAA Michigan Public Affairs Director in a press release. “Adding to the financial frustration, those whose vehicles incurred this type of damage had it happen frequently, with an average of three times in the last five years.”
AAA says drivers can follow these tips to avoid pothole damage:
- Keep tires properly inflated.
- Maintain adequate tire depth.
- To avoid striking a pothole, remain alert, scan the road ahead and drive at least 3-4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
- If a pothole strike is inevitable, slow down, release the brakes and straighten steering before making contact with the pothole.
- Check to see if your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire or a tire inflator kit. Ensure the spare tire is properly inflated before trouble strikes.
