The winter creates the perfect conditions for potholes; the road phenomenon we all hate.
It is hard to find a subject in which everyone agrees, but the hatred of potholes are felt by nearly every American. As the winter comes, it creates the perfect conditions for potholes to arise. But how do they form, and is there a sure-fire way to avoid them to avoid any damage? Those questions and more are answered below. Let’s find out!
How are potholes formed?
The porous nature of cement is the culprit responsible for the formation of potholes. Water and moisture penetrate deep into the road and remain within the tiny cracks. It’s important to remember that water expands when it freezes; as the winter temperatures drop, the water inside of the road expands, displacing the surrounding pavement. It melts, and then refreezes, displacing more and more pavement. As the process repeats–and thousands of cars push down on this spot–a pothole is formed.
Don’t speed up!
You’ve likely heard the myth that goes thusly: if you speed up, you can clear the pothole entirely. Unfortunately, gravity politely disagrees. The speeds required to clear a pothole–assuming your car weighs the average 2 tons–surpasses even NASCAR speeds, so 60-80 miles per hour simply won’t cut it. In fact, by speeding up, you can actually do more damage to your car as you will hit the wall of the pothole with even more force.
Reduce Distractions.
The best way to avoid a pothole is by keeping your eyes on the road. This is a lot simpler said than done. Looking down at your phone or tuning the radio could take long enough to make a pothole collision inevitable. Be attentive!
When it comes to your safety, be wary of potholes and get the coverage that you need with the right auto insurance. Contact the professionals at NorthStar Risk Management & Insurance Services, Inc. in Walnut Creek, California for all your commercial and personal insurance needs.
