There’s not a state route or a road in the US that doesn’t have potholes. Potholes are not only uncomfortable, but they can also cause a lot of damage to your vehicle.
The government is grossly underfunded to take care of our nation’s roads and highways. The Revenue Study Commission and the National Surface Transportation Policy have estimated that the US needs $185 billion each year to maintain the country’s roads, bridges and highways.
Currently, the government is spending only $68 billion. So it depends on you to steer clear of potholes and if there is no way around, go over in the safest manner possible. Here are some tips to navigate potholes.
Do not take your eyes off the road
If you drive at a normal rate of speed and keep your eyes peeled on the road, you are more likely to see a pothole from a long way off. When you see a pothole, try to avoid it. If you cannot avoid it (there is heavy traffic on the road or its too late to swerve), slow down immediately and go over the pothole slowly. Take your foot off the brake when you do so. Reducing speed when going over a pothole can drastically reduce the damage to your vehicle.
Drive cautiously
Do not tailgate a vehicle. Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Otherwise, you won’t have the time to react when you see a pothole. Always be careful when driving over puddles. Puddles often hide potholes and if you don’t slow down and if there is indeed a crater in the puddle, you may end up damaging your vehicle.
What to do if you drive over a pothole badly?
Sometimes, we cannot avoid driving over potholes. That’s okay. If you do drive over a pothole, get your vehicle checked by a mechanic for possible damages. Driving a car that is already damaged will cause the problem to worsen.
It is also a good idea to check if your car insurance is up to date. If your car insurance is ending soon, immediately buy a new one. The good news is, if you are staying in Palmetto, Florida you don’t need to break your head over where to buy car insurance. You can contact us and we will get you the best deals on auto insurance in Manatee County Florida.
