While avoiding a pothole in Grande Prairie might not always be possible, avoiding damage to your car when you hit one might be. According to Alberta Motor Association Technical Services Manager Randy Loyk, if you see one during your travels it’s best to slow down and hit it straight on.
“If you can avoid it without doing any evasive manoeuvring; of course it’s a better thing not to hit the pothole but again you have to be careful that you’re not going into oncoming traffic or into somebody’s lane… Best thing to do is just try and slow down and hit the hole straight on if you cannot manoeuvre away from the hole.”
People in the city are no stranger to potholes. In 2017, 6,300 were filled across the city. In 2018, between January and May, city crews filled more than 3,700 potholes. Loyk says that if you hit one too fast you could be making a trip to the mechanic.
“Some of the damage may include damaging the tire [or] damaging the rim. We’ve seen even further damage to suspension parts on the vehicle and of course the alignment of the vehicle.”
People can report a pothole using the City’s “See, Click, Fix” online system.