Bumpy Roads Ahead: Pothole Season Enters Its Peak In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — It’s the time of year known for dramatic temperature swings and bouts of heavy rainfall. The transition from late winter to early spring is also the time when Rhode Island drivers face the dreaded annual emergence of fresh potholes.

AAA Northeast is reminding Rhode Island drivers they should expect potholes to appear over the coming days and weeks, as roads crumble under changing temperature conditions.

Driving into a pothole is not only jolting, but it can also be costly. According to a 2023 AAA survey, the number of drivers who sustained vehicle damage from a pothole requiring a repair soared 57 percent from the previous year. In 2022, an estimated 44 million U.S. drivers were hit with pothole repair bills, up from 28 million in 2021. The average price tag was $406 per repair, a AAA spokesperson said.

It's not just wheels and tires that suffer when roads are pockmarked by potholes. Driving into a large pothole can damage vehicle suspension and steering components as well. In a worst-case-scenario, hitting a pothole — or taking evasive action to avoid one — can lead to a crash.

“Driving into a pothole can be jarring and upsetting, especially when it leads to a blown tire, bent rim or worse,” AAA Northeast Public Relations Director Jillian Young said. “While potholes might seem unavoidable this time of year, you can decrease the odds of hitting one by driving and reacting appropriately.”

Here’s how to avoid pothole damage:

• Adjust your driving technique by slowing down and increasing the space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This gives you more time to spot a pothole and avoid It.
• Avoid driving into puddles, which might hide a deep pothole underneath the surface of the water.
• Be extra alert on days following heavy rain or when temperatures swing below and above freezing in a short period of time. Rainwater can rush into cracks and grooves and lift away broken segments of pavement. Lingering water expands when frozen, creating new cracks and fissures. This vicious cycle can rapidly deteriorate a road already subjected to the incessant pounding of vehicle traffic.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, usually indicated on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb. Low-profile tires are increasingly popular, but they’re more vulnerable to blowouts and damage.

If you can’t avoid hitting a pothole, try the following:

• Lift your foot off the gas and try to keep the wheel as straight as possible to prevent suspension damage. Slow down as much as possible but avoid braking hard as you go over the pothole as it will compress your suspension and put extra force on the tire.
• Pay attention to any new or unusual noises or vibrations after driving through the pothole. If something feels off, it could be a sign of damage. Take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility for a thorough inspection.
• Consider purchasing a separate wheel and tire coverage plan.
• Report the pothole to authorities, and file a damage claim if applicable. In some jurisdictions, drivers may be entitled to reimbursement for pothole damage repairs, but there may be exceptions. In Rhode Island, claim and pothole report forms can be found via the Rhode Island Department of Transportation online.

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