10 Tips For Driving On Roads With Potholes
Potholes are the bane of every driver’s life.
Not only can they do serious damage to your vehicle, but they can also put you and your passengers in danger. In the UK, it has been estimated that there have been nearly 700,000 new potholes reported in the past year, meaning there is more chance of you encountering a pothole on your journeys.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help to reduce your risk of damaging your car or yourself due to potholes. Here are 10 things to do when driving on roads with potholes.
Keep your distance
Staying the correct distance away from the car in front of you enables you to spot potholes that you may have missed if you were driving too close.
Eyes on the road
Keep your eyes peeled at all times, especially in wet weather – what may look like a puddle may, in fact, be a super deep pothole!
Watch out for other hazards
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you are swerving to miss a pothole, make sure there are no other vehicles or pedestrians that you might hit.
Drive slowly
If you were to hit a pothole at a high speed there is potential for increased damage to you and your car! Keep at a slow pace when driving on roads renowned for potholes.
10 to 2 position
Keep a good grip on your steering wheel with your hands in the ’10 to 2’ position. This will help you keep control of your vehicle if you were to run over an unexpected pothole.
Pump it up
Make sure to check your tyre pressure regularly to reduce the risk of damage when driving through a pothole.
Safety first
If a pothole does damage your car and you want to inspect it, or if you lose parts of your vehicle due to the pothole, make sure to pull over into a safe place first before getting out and checking over your vehicle.
Drive with care
If you do have to drive over a pothole, make sure you do with extreme care! Allow the wheel to roll into the hole freely to avoid as much damage as possible.
Lay off the brakes
When driving through a pothole, try to be lenient with the braking. If you brake the vehicle will tilt forward causing extra stress on the front suspension.
Get your car checked over
If you do hit a pothole and think your car has been damaged from this, make sure to book into your local Bristol Street Motors Bodyshop for all of your car accident repairs!