Pothole Season Arrives As Sun, Warmer Temperatures Hit Pavement

DETROIT, MI – Take a minute and enjoy the sunshine and the slightly warmer temperature after the past couple of snowy days. And, now, think about what it means for roads, your car and potholes.

Fluctuating temperatures create ever-changing freeze-thaw cycles of moisture that has seeped into the pavement. That leads to potholes in roadways, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. As people drive their cars and trucks across the asphalt surfaces, the pavement weakens and potholes form.

Some potholes grow faster, bigger and deeper than others. For drivers, they can become an obstacle course along streets, roads and highways, sometimes becoming dangerous as drivers try to swerve and miss them – or other drivers who have suffered vehicle damage because of the potholes.

Welcome to pothole season, Michigan.

Potholes are more than just a pain to drive over or avoid. The damage they cause can require expensive and extensive vehicle repairs. A 2016 study from AAA found that pothole damage costs drivers in the United States $3 billion annually.

To minimize damage to your car, AAA offers these tips:

• Ensure tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread depth, as they are the only cushion between a pothole and the car.
• If a pothole strike is inevitable, drivers should slow down, release the brakes and straighten steering before making contact with the pothole. Spare tires are critical for drivers affected by pothole damage.
• To avoid potholes in the roadway, drivers should remain alert, scan the road and increase following distances behind the vehicle ahead.

Every year, AAA responds to more than 4 million calls for flat tire assistance, many the result of damage caused by potholes, according to auto club.

If you see a pothole that needs fixing, you can report it online to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

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