Dreaded potholes! How to save your wheels
Potholes are taking over again!
After spending the Easter weekend along Durban’s south coast I can now agree that Cape Town’s pothole situation isn’t nearly as bad!
With the increased but much needed rainfall around the country lately, driving around certain areas while trying to avoid some unexpected road-craters can be a real pain in the backside.
Not only is it a struggle to try and navigate your way around potholes but accidentally driving over (or into) one does some real damage to your tyres.
Potholes: 60% of SA’s roads
A recent report from Eyewitness News said that approximately 6 out of every 10 cars taken to a tyre centre in Gauteng alone have been damaged due to potholes or road construction.
The South African Automobile Association estimates that about 60% of South Africa’s roads are potholed or are in need of maintenance.
In 80% of the cases when you hit a pothole it is your rim, one of the most safety critical items on your car, that gets damaged and not the tyre.
Bigger problems
Les Mc Master, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), says rim damage can often lead to other problems like vehicle alignment and suspension problems.
“It is essential that the repairer is SABS approved and if possible carries an approved ISO 9001 accreditation,” he says. “Unfortunately not many repairers have x-ray technology and can repair according to a certain standard so one needs to select carefully.”
He suggested the following tips to help road users avoid the damage caused to their cars by potholes:
- Be extra cautious when there is water on the road as a pothole may be lurking beneath. If at all possible and if not endangering other motorists, rather drive around the puddle.
- If you do drive over a hole do not slam on brakes and this could compound the damage to your vehicle or cause an accident
- Hold the steering wheel firmly when driving over a pothole to avoid losing control
- If driving at night, ensure your headlights are clean as dips and potholes are harder to identify at night
- Do not swerve if you hit a hole as this could endanger other motorists.
Source: Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA)