From The Trussville Tribune Staff Reports
BIRMINGHAM – Did you know that pothole damage costs drivers $3 billion annually?
A new study from AAA revealed that over the course of the last 5 years, U.S. drivers spent $15 in vehicle repairs due to pothole damage.
AAA cautions drivers to remain alert in order to avoid pothole damage during daily commutes, and also urges state and local government to fully fund and prioritize road patience to reduce vehicle damage, repair costs and ease driver frustration.
“In the last five years, 16 million drivers across the country have suffered pothole damage to their vehicles,” said Clay Ingram, AAA Alabama spokesperson. “The problems range from tire punctures and bent wheels, to more expensive suspension damage.”
According to a survey from AAA, middle- and lower-income families are those most worried about potholes, with most of those respondents having a household income under $75,000.
“On average, American drivers report paying $300 to repair pothole-related vehicle damage,” said Ingram. “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 urges for those wishing to minimize damage to make sure tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread depth. If a pothole strike is unavoidable, it is critical that drivers slow down, release the breaks and straighten steering before making contact with the pothole.