RICHMOND, VA – Pothole season has arrived earlier than usual this year, putting drivers at greater risk of a breakdown, the need for a tow and potentially costly repairs. A 2021 survey by AAA indicates that Americans spend billions of dollars every year to repair damages caused by potholes, with an average price tag of almost $600 per repair.

Drivers can blame the weather for their premature roadway woes, as extreme fluctuations in temperature cause potholes.

When a cold spell is followed by a warming trend, water in the pavement expands and contracts, leaving it cracked and vulnerable to the wear and tear of traffic,” says Morgan Dean, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Virginia. “This is a weather pattern we typically see in the spring, but this year, we’re already getting calls from Members with tire troubles related to potholes.”

AAA Emergency Rescue data indicates that last year, almost 25% of all tire-related calls in AAA Mid-Atlantic territory in Virginia resulted in the need for a tow – mostly because there was no useable spare. In fact, had a spare been available, nearly 6,000 AAA Members could have avoided the time and possible expense of a tow.

“Many new cars do not come with a spare, so the one thing drivers can do to minimize the need for a tow is to check their trunk right now,” Dean adds.

In addition to tire troubles, damage caused by potholes may include dented rims, damaged wheels, dislodged wheel weights, displaced struts, dislocated shock absorbers, damaged exhaust systems, misaligned steering systems and ruptured ball joints.

The AAA survey found that one in 10 drivers sustained vehicle damage significant enough to warrant a repair after hitting a pothole. AAA urges all vehicle owners to talk to their insurance advisors in advance of a pothole problem to ensure they are adequately covered, should the need arise.

Need to report a pothole? The Virginia Department of Transportation has an online submission page, or drivers (who are safely parked as it’s illegal to have your phone in hand in Virginia) can call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623).

Avoiding Potholes

Of course, the best way to prevent pothole damage or tire troubles that might require a tow is avoiding potholes altogether.

AAA offers the following tips for avoiding potholes/minimizing damage:

  • Beware of Puddles – Puddles are often potholes in disguise.
  • Look Ahead – Make a point of scanning the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver is more likely to have time to avoid a pothole.
  • Increase Following Distance – This will give you additional time to avoid potholes otherwise hidden by the vehicle in front of you.
  • Limit Distractions – Avoiding a pothole is much easier if you pay attention to the road ahead.
  • Slow Down – Slowing down will increase the chance of avoiding a pothole, and if you can’t avoid a pothole, reduced speed will likely mean reduced damage.
  • Inspect Tires – Make sure tires are properly inflated and have a healthy tread. Tires that are not road-ready are at greater risk of a blowout or flat.
  • Take Care of Your Spare – Check your trunk. Many newer cars do not have spare tires or the spare is unusable, causing greater inconvenience to drivers and their passengers in the event of a flat.
  • Don’t Ignore Noises/Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage the tire or wheel and even break suspension components. Any unusual noises after a pothole hit should be inspected immediately.