John Townsend
Public Relations Manager, DC
O: (202) 481-6820 (ext. 4462108)
C: (202) 253-2171
jtownsend@aaamidatlantic.com
WASHINGTON, D. C. (Friday, April 6, 2018) –– Most of the time, you can tell how bad a winter was by the number of days and nights with below-normal temperatures or by the number of extreme cold weather events; such as nor’easters (we were slammed by four in the span of three weeks). Of course, there are other determining factors, such as the amount of snowfall (the total for Washington, D.C. so far this winter is 7.8 inches, compared to 3.4 inches of snow last winter). Then there is the matter of the sheer number of cancelled flights, potholes and flat tires.
As proof, this winter emergency roadside assistance technicians at AAA Mid-Atlantic have rescued over 40,000 motorists with flat tire woes or tire-related issues in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Although the biggest snowstorm in April in more than a century is in the local weather forecast for this weekend, local pothole crews are rolling out hot box equipment to patch and repair potholes.
In fact, the 10th Annual Potholepalooza kicks off today at 11 a.m. with a news conference with Mayor Muriel Bowser. In 2018, to date, the District of Columbia has filled 19,760 potholes according to the District’s Department of Transportation. In 2017, the District filled 29,844 potholes. During winter, drivers can sustain flat tires and wheel damage by hitting a pothole straight on or simply by nicking one. Each year nearly 500,000 auto insurance claims are filed for pothole damage and pothole-related accidents.
“Pothole encounters can wreak havoc on car tires, wheels and suspensions,” said John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs. “Most pothole-related repairs cost less than $250, but in some cases the bill can exceed $1,000. Yet the average repair cost is $306. Even worse, hitting a pothole – or taking the wrong measures to avoid one – could cause a crash and personal injuries.”
Winter: December 21, 2017 - March 21, 2018
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||||
|
DC
|
MD
|
VA
|
TOTAL
|
Winter Total
|
20,416
|
150,004
|
105,363
|
275,783
|
Battery
|
6,752
|
41,732
|
31,949
|
80,433
|
Extrication
|
70
|
2,677
|
1,813
|
4,560
|
Fuel
|
290
|
2,538
|
1,610
|
4,438
|
Light Service
|
175
|
3,703
|
2,671
|
6,549
|
Lockout
|
1,377
|
11,624
|
10,087
|
23,088
|
Locksmith
|
192
|
1,124
|
852
|
2,168
|
Tire
|
4,108
|
23,711
|
13,534
|
41,353
|
Tow
|
7,452
|
62,895
|
42,847
|
113,194
|
During the winter of 2017-2018, AAA Mid-Atlantic responded to 4,108 rescue calls for tire-related issues in Washington, D.C., 23,711 rescue calls in Maryland and rescue calls 13,534 in Virginia. The cherry blossoms are in peak bloom around the Tidal Basin and so are potholes on area roadways. Those deep, dark, and dreadful divots in the roadway will set motorists back approximately $3 billion this year alone, estimates AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“To help protect yourself, your car and your wallet from pothole damage, keep tires properly inflated, eliminate driving distractions, look ahead for road hazards, be wary of puddles that may hide potholes and keep a safe distance from other vehicles,” said James Moore, Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic Car Care Center. “Check your surroundings for collision threats before you stomp on the brakes or swerve suddenly to dodge a pothole. If you can’t avoid one, slow down, but release the brakes and straighten the steering wheel just before impact to help minimize any damage.”
In the nation’s capital, Potholepalooza is a month-long campaign led by the District Department of Transportation to accelerate pothole repairs across Washington, D.C. More than 338,600 potholes were patched and filled by pothole repair crews with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) during the city’s annual “Potholepalooza” campaigns from Fiscal Year 2010 to FY 2017.
How to Report a Pothole in Washington, D.C.
Residents and Commuters can notify DDOT in a variety of ways:
- Call the Mayor's Call Center at 311.
- Use the Online Service Request Center at 311.dc.gov.
- Visit DDOT's service request website https://ddot.dc.gov/potholes.
- Tweet to twitter.com/DDOTDC. Use the hashtag #potholepalooza.
- Email to Potholepalooza 2018.
- Use the District's DC311 smartphone application.
- Visit, like and post a comment on Potholepalooza on Facebook.com.
If you encounter a pothole on a state-maintained road in Virginia, simply report the road crater to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) or call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623). Motorists in Maryland can report a pothole online. Drivers can also email or call the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), or the locality or county government responsible for maintaining the roadway.
A survey by AAA found that nearly 30 million U.S. drivers experienced pothole damage significant enough to require repair in 2016, with repair bills ranging from under $250 to more than $1000. To address this issue, AAA believes that more funding is needed to keep pace with critical repairs and ongoing maintenance of the nation’s roadways.
Potholes are proliferating on area roadways and it is incumbent upon motorists to make a point of checking the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver may have time to avoid potholes, so it’s important to stay focused on the road and not any distractions inside or outside the vehicle. Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check surrounding traffic to ensure this won’t cause a collision or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.
Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. As temperatures rise and fall, the moisture expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This breaks up the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, eventually results in a pothole. When pothole damage occurs, it is imperative to choose a reputable repair facility, including AAA Car Care Center across the Washington metro region, or a nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facility.
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Washington, D.C. Mailing Address:
1405 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit https://aaa.com
Ragina C. Ali
Public Relations Manager, MD
O: (410) 616-1900 (ext. 4361152)
C: (443) 465-5020
RAli@aaamidatlantic.com