Pothole Pitfall Precautions

Potholes are a fact of life for anyone who drives. These road hazards are not only a nuisance, but they can do extensive damage to your vehicle if you accidentally hit one. State Farm is here to help with some simple tips to avoid the perils of potholes.

• Take Familiar Roads – Traveling on roads you know well will help you avoid potholes.
• Travel on well-lit roads – When driving at night, travel on well-lit roads so you can see the surface.
• Slow Down – Give yourself a chance to see the pothole and avoid it before you’re in it.
• Avoid Tailgating – Allow time to see road conditions ahead. The minimum recommended following distance of 2 seconds (some experts recommend 3 seconds or more) would give you time to spot and hopefully avoid a pothole.
• Brake Before Impact – If you can’t avoid a pothole, if possible brake to slow before impact (don’t skid), but be off the brakes long enough for the wheels to be moving. There’s less damage when a tire is rolling than during aggressive braking when the load on suspension, wheels and tires is greater, potentially causing more damage on impact with a pothole.

To see more pothole tips, hover over the blue dots on interactive image below.