Don’t underestimate the power of the pothole

South African roads have really taken a beating from the heavy rainstorms that have soaked the country over the past few months. The increasing number of potholes, which are growing in size and stature as fast as they are multiplying, are evidence of that.
They seem to be everywhere and negotiating a smooth path around these menacing voids is sometimes impossible, which means all of us at some stage or another has felt the un-welcome jolt from having hit one.
But what many people don’t realise it that even the slightest encounter with a pothole can knock their wheel alignment out, causing unpleasant consequences further down the line.
“Improper wheel alignment causes the tread on your tyres to wear unevenly and can cause your car to pull to one side, increasing the wear on certain parts of your tyres and reducing tyre life. It can also cause damage to your car’s suspension system, all of which can result in you having to fork out extra money on otherwise unnecessary repairs and premature tyre replacement.
“It is also important to bear in mind that driving with faulty suspension and shock absorbers or worn tyres increases your chances of having an accident, making you and your car a hazard on the road. Tyre failure in particular is one of the key contributors in many vehicle accidents on SA roads.
“Remember too that if you do happen to be involved in an accident and your tyres are worn to below South African road traffic safety specifications, your insurer will in all probability deem your car to be un-roadworthy and refuse to pay your claim,” warns Thys van Niekerk, general manager of Dial Direct Insurance.
With this in mind, van Niekerk advises motorists to check their wheel alignment regularly and specifically if they have hit a pothole and their car seems to be “crab-walking”.
“Tyre and wheel experts recommend that under normal operating conditions, wheel alignment should be checked a minimum of every 10 000 kilometres. This has become especially important given the holey state of some of our roads and pummelling our cars take travelling on them. In fact, given the current state of many of our roads, wheel alignment should possibly be checked more regularly than every 10 000 kilometres.
“Having your wheel alignment checked and corrected can extend the life of your tyres by up to 10 000 kilometres. It also helps to avert damage to your car’s suspension system caused by improper wheel alignment.”
He points out that pothole encounters can cause more ominous problems – depending on the speed at which you are travelling and the condition of your tyres when you hit them.
“Aside from your vehicle’s alignment, your rims, tyres, steering mechanism, shocks, suspension and even your gearbox can be affected. So, if you do unwittingly drive over a particularly deep or large pothole and you are concerned, get your car checked-out by a professional, particularly if there are bumps protruding from the sidewall of your tyre, if there is recurring loss of air pressure and if there is vibration in the steering wheel, the seat of your vehicle or at your feet in the foot-well.”
He concedes that whatever the degree of damage, unanticipated automotive repairs thanks to potholes are an unwelcome cost and inconvenience, especially if you have to cover the costs from your own pocket.
“But, it is better to be safe than sorry,” says van Niekerk.
Motorists can claim damages from the agencies responsible for road upkeep and maintenance in the various metro areas and many short-term insurance providers do cover damages caused by potholes.