Poor Roads Are Becoming a Major Household Expense
America’s roadway deterioration problem is increasingly showing up in household budgets. Damaged tires, cracked wheels, suspension repairs and alignment problems are forcing millions of drivers to pay hundreds of dollars after striking potholes, while taxpayers are also being asked to fund a growing backlog of highway repairs. Research conducted by CR Legal Team examined the cost of potholes from several angles, including vehicle damage, roadway safety, infrastructure funding and the states where road conditions are worsening fastest. The findings show that potholes are not simply a nuisance. They represent a recurring national expense with consequences for drivers, governments and businesses. An estimated 44 million motorists paid for pothole-related repairs in 2022 , compared with 28 million one year earlier. Nationally, annual pothole damage is estimated to cost drivers approximately $26.5 billion . One Impact Can Create Multiple Repairs When a tire falls into a dee...