Understanding the genesis of potholes and strategies to minimize auto damage
Potholes are a common driving hazard in Melbourne and Victoria, capable of causing serious and costly damage to vehicles. In an effort to combat this issue, the demand for materials from quarries in Victoria is expected to increase from 63.7 million tonnes in 2020-2021 to 79.5 million tonnes by 2030.
According to a recent survey, an overwhelming 64% of participants identified potholes as the primary safety issue, up from 46% in 2021. This is a concerning trend, as potholes can cause severe damage to a vehicle's tyres, wheels, suspension, exhaust, and vehicle body, and in some cases can lead to drivers losing control of their vehicle.
To help drivers navigate this challenge, RACV offers the following strategies:
- Stay alert and reduce speed: When potholes are likely, especially in poor light or wet conditions where potholes are harder to see, it's crucial to stay alert and reduce speed.
- Maintain a safe following distance: Maintaining a safe following distance ensures you have more time to see and respond to potholes or other road hazards ahead.
- Avoid sudden swerving: Swerving suddenly could cause loss of control or collisions with other vehicles or obstacles.
- If you cannot avoid a pothole, slow down as much as possible: Slowing down before driving over a pothole can help minimize impact damage.
- Hold the steering wheel firmly: Keeping a firm control of the steering wheel helps maintain control when hitting a pothole.
- After hitting a pothole, check your steering and tires: If you notice unusual handling, vibrations, or noises, get your wheel alignment or suspension checked soon.
In addition to these tips, RACV encourages drivers to report severe potholes to local councils for repair, enhancing overall road safety. Carrying a roadworthy spare tyre that's properly inflated can serve as a contingency plan if a pothole causes tyre issues.
For more authoritative guidance, visiting the RACV official website or contacting RACV directly would provide the most accurate information, as the current search results do not include specific driving strategies from RACV.
In Victoria, VicRoads is responsible for potholes on arterial roads and freeways, while local councils are responsible for non-arterial roads within their municipalities. Parks Victoria and the Department of Land, Water and Planning manage the non-arterial state roads, while privately owned roads like the CityLink freeway are the responsibility of the controlling corporation.
As Melbourne and Victoria continue to grapple with pothole issues, RACV's 2024 "My Country Road" survey shows that potholes and poor road conditions are the biggest safety issue on regional roads across the state. To address this, RACV is urging Victorians to participate in the "My Melbourne Road" survey to identify and prioritize the most dangerous intersections in Melbourne for government attention.
Victoria is also exploring the use of recycled materials such as fabric, glass, and construction demolition waste to supplement quarry materials, which could help reduce the environmental impact of pothole repairs.
In conclusion, staying alert, reducing speed, maintaining a safe following distance, and avoiding sudden swerving are key strategies for navigating potholes in Melbourne. If you encounter an unavoidable pothole, slowing down and holding the steering wheel firmly can help minimize damage. After hitting a pothole, it's essential to check your car for signs of damage and report severe potholes to the appropriate authorities. By working together, we can make our roads safer for all drivers.
A proactive approach can be seen in home-and-garden enthusiasts repurposing recycled materials for home improvement projects, such as using fabric and glass waste in the creation of wall tapestries or decorative shelving, mirroring the efforts in Victoria to reduce the environmental impact of pothole repairs.
In addition to maintaining a car's regular maintenance schedule, diversifying one's lifestyle priorities to include car-maintenance practices, such as having a roadworthy spare tyre properly inflated, can serve as a valuable contingency plan in the face of pothole-induced tyre issues.
