WINNIPEG – Manitoba Public Insurance is warning about something most drivers have likely already discovered: our pothole pitted streets can lead to dangerous situations and costly repairs.
MPI offered some tips Wednesday for driving on cratered streets:
- Scan 10 to 12 seconds down the road in front of you, looking for potholes. If you are approaching one, don’t swerve suddenly as you may hit another vehicle.
- Slow down as much as possible before the pothole.
- Most potholes develop in the curb lane where water accumulates. This can hide potholes so be sure to approach all puddles with the same caution as you would a pothole.
The public insurer said Wednesday it has already opened 300 claims for pothole damaged cars. It normally sees 1000 pothole damage claims in a whole year, but things are only going to get worse.
“April is the worst month for pothole claims historically,” said MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley.
Smiley also says claim wait times can take up to 14 business days, up from the usual five.
If you’re found not at fault you’ll only have to pay your deductable, but there’s a price to pay if you’re found at fault.
So with a long wait and possible demerit points added to your driver safety rating some customers are opting not to go through MPI.
Macdonald Autobody & Glass Works on St. James Street has already seen more than 100 vehicles this year but says most customers are paying the bill themselves and not waiting to open a claim with MPI.
“A lot of repairs because of the potholes and the majority of people aren’t doing claims, they’re paying for it themselves,” said manager Myron Naumik.
Naumik is seeing vehicles with up to $5,000 worth of damage from potholes.
With CAA’s Worst Roads campaign in full swing, spokesperson Angele Faucher says there have been more than 2,000 votes for the worst road. So far the most votes have gone to St. James St. in Winnipeg.
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