Potholes Are Dangerous and You Need to Avoid Them

Ah, the joy of driving on Philippine streets (said no one, ever). It seems that every turn, there’s a pothole waiting. Couple that with all the road projects that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have lined up--such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Drainage Enhancement Project and the repair of the large mainline along EDSA-Shaw Boulevard, there's not much a driver can do but go over them. Suffice to say, avoiding potholes can be next to impossible with the condition that most of our roads are in.

Unfortunately hitting a pothole does more than just give you a temporary inconvenience. Even the smallest ones have the potential to cause serious damage to your car such as:

Misalignment – Driving over a pothole can to throw your wheel alignment off and make your vehicle pull in one direction from then on. If not addressed immediately, misaligned wheels can lead to uneven wear, eventually speeding up your tire's lifespan. Loss of control – Perhaps the most dangerous damage that a pothole can deal, as it affects your personal safety directly. The sudden force of hitting a pothole can cause the tire to change direction in a very dangerous manner, and if you're traveling at high speeds, losing control of your vehicle is the last thing you want to happen. Tire and wheel problems - The force of hitting an uneven surface along with the recoil bounce that comes with it can weaken tire walls, leaving them more vulnerable to bulges, blisters, and punctures. Likewise, it can also cause damage to the wheel rims and reduce their lifespan considerably.

Check out this YouTube video to see the havoc that driving through a pothole can wreak on your car.

As you can see, hitting a pothole can be detrimental to you and your car in more ways than one. When you observe potholes on the road, it pays to drive carefully and slowly to minimize the damage to your car. Doing so can prevent any untoward accident or injury from happening, while also sparing you from possibly significant repair costs.