The Road Safety Threat posed by Potholes
The threats from potholes can be more severe than merely a financial risk. We have witnessed crash reports of even fatal crashes caused by head-on collisions directly related to potholes. Sometimes a driver may swerve in front of oncoming traffic after losing control of his vehicle, having driven through a pothole or other drivers may over-correct while attempting to avoid a pothole!
The vehicle damage mostly expected is described correctly by Drive Zim as follows:
- One or more deflated tyres
- Severe cracks or bulges in the tyres
- Dents in the wheel rims
- The vehicle shaking and pulling to the left or right, which could indicate an alignment problem
- Fluid leaks, which may mean your undercarriage is damaged
- Odd noises coming from the exhaust system
Where and When are the Biggest Risks presented by Potholes?
Potholes are most commonly found on rural roads, those roads between smaller towns where road maintenance falls under the control of the local authorities. They are also often found in residential areas where road maintenance has been neglected and where trucks often pass to make deliveries to shopping centres in those areas.
Be especially cautious:
- On Wet Roads: When driving on wet roads and where you see puddles. Potholes may look like puddles when the roadway is wet. If you must drive over a puddle, treat it as though it may be a pothole. Otherwise, avoid driving over wet spaces on the road.
- Driving at Night: At night visibility is reduced and you may be blinded by the headlights of oncoming vehicles reducing your ability to identify a pothole.
- In Areas with Poor Street Lighting: Lighting may be reduced by power outages, load shedding or even crime. Be extra cautious where you may not observe the condition of the road surface far beyond the vehicle.
- Where you see Warning Signs: Warning signs may be traffic signs indicating road maintenance. It may also be patches of gravel on the roads as a quick-fix solution covering potholes. Remember that when there is or was one, there may be more potholes!
Share Roads with Caution
Considering other road users on roads with pothole risks is very important. A sudden change in direction may be deadly, especially for our most vulnerable road users. Among the crash reports, we have found numerous examples of injury and death to pedestrians and cyclists where drivers have lost control of their vehicles due to potholes on the road.
- Consider the risks of potholes to cyclists and bikers. They may need to change direction suddenly- Slow down and be ready to give cyclists more space than the recommended 1.5 metres.
- Be cautious of oncoming vehicles – a sudden directional steering change on your part may result in an incorrect corrective measure from their side as well.
- Do not drive right on the centre line—approaching vehicles might also decide to move to the middle of the road to avoid a pothole.
- Avoid anything that might distract your attention from driving – a distraction may prevent you from making the correct split-second decision to either avoid the pothole or to prevent colliding with someone else making an evasive manoeuvre.
Preparing for a breakdown
However much you prepare, there’s always a chance that your car might leave you stranded. So it’s important to have a Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance membership and be fully prepared for a breakdown: With so many different policies on the market, knowing which best suits your needs can be difficult. Of course, nobody can make this decision for you, but there are several factors you should consider when choosing a breakdown membership. Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced emergency roadside assistance, towing and recovery service with seven levels of membership packages to suit all your needs and pockets. Call us or WhatsApp at 0780 579 261/0718 084 297 / 0736 523 424 Office+2638677160725 Email:info@drivezim.co.zw. https://www.facebook.com/105600827733427