Avoid the pitfalls of potholes

Heavy rainfall and widespread flooding have left a trail of potholes in their wake. While road crews are working frantically to repair the damage across the country, Tiger Wheel & Tyre warns motorists to drive cautiously in affected areas.

“In recent months our workshops have seen extensive damage to tyres and wheels, caused by potholes, and while these can be repaired or replaced, potholes pose an even greater risk to motorists. A big enough pothole, hit at sufficient speed or the act of swerving into oncoming traffic to avoid a pothole can be life threatening,” said Tiger Wheel & Tyre Marketing Executive, Joe du Plooy.

To minimise this risk, the company offers motorists this advice for avoiding and dealing with potholes.

1. Increase your following distance. Give yourself more than the legal following distance. If you’re too close to the car in front and that driver swerves to avoid a pothole, there’s no chance you’re going to see it in time to avoid it.

2. Drive at or below the speed limit. The limit is set with ideal conditions in mind and that’s not currently the case. Drive even slower at night. You need extra time to scan the road for potholes, especially in unfamiliar areas.

3. Approach puddles with extreme caution and avoid driving through them, if possible. They may be potholes in disguise.

4. Slow down when approaching a pothole and use your hazards to warn the drivers behind that you’re dealing with a situation. Assess if you can safely drive over it (not through it) or if you need to stop and wait till it’s safe to drive around it.

5. Report potholes. Don’t assume someone else will do it. The way to do this is by contacting your local municipality

“Hitting a pothole usually results in damage to tyres, though it’s not always obvious to the untrained eye. Add speed to the equation and you’ll likely incur damage to your wheel and maybe even your suspension too,” added du Plooy.