Pothole Damage Repairs Costing Drivers $3 billion A Year

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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Officials with AAA say 15-percent of American drivers have to repair their cars every year because of damage from potholes. Overall, roadway problems are costing you $3 billion a year.

Streets across Dallas are notoriously torn up. For some drivers potholes and sections of ripped up pavement have almost become landmarks and they learn to avoid them.

Millions of us across the country are getting realigned and replacing tires every year because of potholes and torn up roads.

Extremely hot weather, along with cold, ice and flooding cause the road issues. Some people driving in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas said streets there are just a few of many that need attention.

One man said, "I'm through here everyday and this street is pretty bad. But it's all over – I live in Mesquite and it's bad there too."

Along with other North Texas cities and counties, potholes are a nationwide problem. Last year Congress appropriated more money for transportation, but analysts say as much as $170 billion more is needed, per year, to fix interstates and bridges.

In Dallas the city council has been looking at a possible billion-dollar bond program to fix city streets, but plans for that have been put on hold temporarily. Earlier this month, Mayor Mike Rawlings announced that he wanted to discuss a possible postponement of the 2017 bond package.

According to AAA, in the last five years 16 million Americans have suffered pothole damage to their vehicles, with the average repair bill totaling $300.

Beyond the obvious advice to simply watch out for potholes, AAA counsels drivers to make sure their tires are in good condition and properly inflated.

So, what are the best things to do if hitting a pothole is inevitable?

•  slow down
•  release the brakes
•  straighten your steering before making contact with the pothole

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