In India, one of the most common sights on the roads, other than a mess of motorists, are potholes. These potholes can be extremely annoying to encounter and can cause a great deal of damage to the car.
Some of the damages that can be caused by broken roads are to the tire, wheel, suspension, body, and exhaust. The severity of damage mainly depends on the size and depth of the pothole, and the speed of the car. Now, let’s take a look at what can happen to the car if damage is caused…
Potholes, when hit hard, can result in damaging the tires. Tires can get punctured, cracked, or even start bulging – which can be really dangerous while driving. Apart from the tire, harm can be done to the wheel, also. It can bend, crack or even dent the wheel which can have a negative impact on the tire. In serious cases, it can cause the tire to come off the rim while driving.
Furthermore, after hitting a pothole, the suspension can face a major issue. With rapid compression and rebound happening, wear and tear on certain parts such as shock absorbers, struts, and springs.
This will automatically reduce the comfort of riding in the car as it will make the car run stiff and hard. Also, it can cause wheel alignment issues making the car unsafe to drive.
While driving, if we hit a pothole at speed, the exhaust pipes located on the undercarriage of our car can face adverse effects. If exhaust pipes get scraped or hit extensively, the exhaust system can get damaged, causing a leak or a bend in the pipe. This can lead to loss of power, unnecessary noise, and lower fuel economy.
Lastly, the body can get seriously affected if we run into a pothole at high speeds. The potholes can cause the body to dent, get scratched, or in some cases, even destroy the radiator and total the car.
To avoid potholes, we need to be extra safe on the roads – and to do this, we should follow these steps to ensure utmost safety and care for the care.
When a pothole is in sight, the first thing we should do is step on the brake and slow down. This will give us more time to react to the ditch, and the slower we go the less damage will be caused.
Also, we should be aware of the roads we are travelling on, especially in the darkness or when it’s raining. This is because the lack of light can make the broken road difficult to see, and water can fill up in the crevasses, deceiving us of the depth of it.
Without us knowing how severe it can be, travelling over it wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do as it can cause more damage than expected.
On wet roads, if we encounter a hindrance, we should proceed with extra caution so as to not lose control of the vehicle we are on, and to keep ourselves safe. Hitting a bump while carrying speed on rainy roads can be highly unsafe as traction on the surface of the road is reduced and the tires will also be coated with water.
Further, it’s important to avoid potholes because the damage can be expensive to fix. Following these steps can ensure your car remains safe and sound despite the ruined roads.
Apart from physical damages caused by potholes, they can also cause accidents as the roads are more dangerous to travel on. The dilapidated roads also cause traffic congestion because it forces vehicles to slow down or stop.
Potholes are a significant use that can harm cars, property, and people. By reporting potholes, they can be repaired promptly with professional help.
Potholes can be a serious problem for those who travel in their own vehicle on a daily basis. It can be irritating, unsafe, and problematic to encounter. The right steps should be taken to avoid impacting the vehicle negatively – which, in return, can save money.
Always aim to avoid a pothole when you see one, and if you can’t avoid it, slow down. Losing a few seconds in saving your car is worth more than losing a few thousand rupees in fixing the car.
