Perils of Potholes
A nightmare for any driver, potholes are notorious for causing accidents and turning into death traps. Described as a structural failure on a road surface, potholes are usually caused when the layer of road collapses on the small water pools in the underlying soil structure, or when the road surface breaks due to constant traffic and poor maintenance.
Drivers need to especially careful during the rainy season as their vehicles can hit partially or completely submerged potholes. The accidents that occur subsequent to high speed vehicles hitting pot holes and overturning can lead to grave physical injuries and even death in certain instances.
One can take precautions to avoid the perils of potholes in many ways, and in the process ensure the safety of other drivers on the roads.
- Leaving enough distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you allows you to see the oncoming pothole before striking it
- Trying to avoid a pothole could mean getting close or hitting other vehicles on the road – so best to be aware of other traffic or pedestrians even as you swerve to avoid a pothole
- Slow speed travel is safest for pothole filled roads as it can avoid possible overturning, or injury due to high speed impact of hitting a pothole.
- Avoid applying brakes when driving over a pothole as this action tilts the vehicle forward and places a stress on the front suspension, which is the first part of the vehicle to hit a pothole.
In the event of your car hitting a pothole, an inspection can reveal whether or not there is a bent rim or hub cap or missing wheel weights. A check up of the fenders and wheel wells for damages would also be good. You can even evaluate if you can claim for insurance but for that make sure you have noted the date and time of the accident.
