How to avoid potholes

SOUTH Africans have recently welcomed much-needed rainfall across the thirsty country, however this has meant driving on the roads often feels like navigating a minefield.

This is according to Candice Wiskin, broadcast media coordinator at Tiger Wheel and Tyre. Wiskin said even the most advanced drivers don’t stand a chance against our eroded roads.

“Potholes are often difficult to avoid as they can be hard to see, especially at night or in heavy traffic, which doesn’t allow for swerving out of the way,” she said.

Tiger Wheel and Tyre has put together a few pothole safety tips to help you avoid them:

“People should remember that properly-inflated tyres will hold up better against potholes than tyres that are under-inflated. “Other than simply being good driving practice, leaving enough room between you and the car in front of you can be critical in avoiding potholes. If you can’t avoid a pothole altogether, make sure you slow down before you hit it and never brake directly over a pothole as this can actually cause more damage than speeding over it,” she said.

In the case where a driver has to drive directly over a pothole, he or she must make sure to hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.

“Watch out for innocent-looking puddles, these are often potholes in disguise,” she said.

Symptoms of pothole damage:

Is your car pulling to the left or right or is your alignment off?

Uneven tyre wear?

Low tyre pressure?

Bulges, tears or blisters on the sidewall of your tyre?

Indents in the wheel rim?