Potholes might cost American drivers as much as $26 billion per year, says AAA
Driving brings a non-stop series of irritations. Distracted drivers, construction, and, of course, component-eating potholes. These asphalt fissures are more than bone-jarring annoyances; they cost Americans billions of dollars every year in repairs.
Potholes are more than an unsightly nuisance; they’re a money pit for American drivers to the tune of billions per year
Back in 2022, the American Automobile Association (AAA) put together some data about potholes. How could something so harmless-sounding be so destructive? The data doesn’t lie. One in every 10 drivers reported vehicle damage as a direct result of potholes in 2021. That might not seem like much, considering just how many of these boulevard boreholes dot the nation’s roads.
But it is. According to AAA, Americans forked over around $26.5 billion in 2021 due to pothole damage. That’s billion with a “B.” And things only got worse from there. Newer data suggests that the number of Americans saddled with repair bills related to these road imperfections rose from 28 million in 2021 to a staggering 44 million in 2022.
And damage is even worse for drivers in the Northeast, where up to one in five motorists report damage over the last five years, per AutoInsurance.com. Unfortunately, it costs hundreds of dollars on average to fill in the average pothole, and the gears of local government grind slowly.
You can do a few things to combat the financial tolls of the holes
Granted, you can’t drive around like Ron Swanson in “Parks and Recreation” and fill in potholes in city streets. That’s just not how things get done. But you can do a handful of things to minimize the damage to your vehicle as these street surface booby traps wait and grow.
For starters, you can stay on top of your tires. Check your tire pressure. Is it too low? Improper inflation may leave your tires, wheels, shocks, alignment, and other suspension components susceptible. In addition to tire pressure, your tread depth is vital to the operation of your tires. Check your tread depth using the penny test.
But here’s the most important thing: pay attention. Keep your eyes off your devices and on the road ahead. If you can see a pothole, you can make a plan to avoid it. And an avoided obstacle can’t damage your vehicle.
