It will take more than a slurry coating to smooth this potholed street in San Diego. (Mark Maynard)
It was 2018 when politician Gretchen Whitmer was campaigning for Michigan governor when she heralded her campaign with the mantra, “Fix the Damn Roads.” She took the election campaign on the road for a mid-Michigan tour of 70 stops. Her campaign bus was wrapped with the battle cry, “Fix the Damn Roads.”
The campaign must have resonated with voters because Whitmer, a Democrat, was elected governor in 2019.
Michigan does indeed have potholed pavement, particularly after the spring thaw. And an auto-journalist friend based in the Detroit area is thankful for a special $600 Ford promotion for additional tire-and-wheel coverage for his then-new vehicle. He used the policy seven times that season.
Potholes are unforgiving to low-profile tires and wide aftermarket wheels. As spring arrives, potholes become more prevalent as snow and ice melt. The freeze-and-thaw action of water weakens the asphalt and hollows the space below it. Traffic massages the crumbling road surface, giving birth to the dreaded potholes.
More Bumps In the Road
The big divots in streets and highways are a problem every year and getting worse, according to the latest Hankook Gauge Data report. The tiremaker’s recent survey had 1,031 respondents.
Drivers are facing a lot more bumps in the road. In the latest Gauge survey, 62 percent of American drivers said they are noticing more potholes this year than in the past.
Most motorists will steer right around them. While not recommended, a majority of drivers (54 percent) say they swerve around a pothole. That’s especially true for baby boomers, who are nearly twice as likely to swerve around potholes than their younger millennial counterparts — 71 percent vs. 35 percent, respectively.
Younger drivers follow the handbook. Industry pundits recommend that drivers slow down and drive carefully over the pothole — and 30 percent of drivers say they do so. Millennials, generally in the age range of 24 to 39, are most likely to follow this guidance (42 percent).
Tire damage is a top concern. When driving over a pothole, drivers are most concerned about damage to the tires (36 percent), followed by the wheels (22 percent) and shock absorbers (16 percent).
About Hankook
Hankook Tire Co., based in Seoul, Korea, is the seventh-largest tire company in the world. The tiremaker’s North American headquarters are in Nashville, Tenn.
Hankook markets a full line of on- and off-road tires. Among its tire brands are:
iON, dedicated tires for electric vehicles;
Ventus premium tires;
Dynapro SUV tires;
Kinergy, comfort tires;
Vantra, van tires;
Winter i*cept;
Smart, truck and bus tires.
Shop Hankook tires here.
