When Deanna LeBlanc of Riverview was driving down the Trans-Canada Highway last Sunday, she hit a pothole in a construction zone near the Salisbury exit that was so deep, the impact made her bite her lip and caused her car to start shaking.
The hole blew out LeBlanc’s tire, costing her $440 in repairs. She said there was no warning about the hole the size of a “crater” that she later learned had ruined the afternoon for other drivers, too.
“I couldn’t pull over because there were five cars on the side of the road,” LeBlanc told Information Morning Mocton.
On the heels of the spring thaw, and with heavy rains in May, many roads have become littered with huge potholes.
The owner of Dynamic Towing, the company that eventually came to LeBlanc’s rescue, told CBC it was called to tow about 25 vehicles in the span of 24 hours on that stretch of highway — all of which had flat tires due to one nasty pothole.
“It’s absolutely terrible. It shouldn’t be left like that on the weekends,” LeBlanc said. “They should be protecting us and they’re not.”
In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said crews have since been to the area to do patch work.
The CBC also contacted MRDC Operations Corporation, the private contractor responsible for maintenance of that stretch of highway, but received no response.
Trying to recoup your losses
So, how likely is it that a driver like LeBlanc will be reimbursed for damage to their vehicle? And what can you do to avoid potholes in the first place?
A 2021 study by the Canadian Automobile Association, or CAA, found poor road conditions cost Canadian drivers $3 billion per year in repairs and other hidden costs. That’s an average cost of $126 per year for a driver.
LeBlanc said she plans to file a claim for her tire replacement with the construction company she was told was hired as a sub-contractor for that area.
“I think I got a fight in front of me,” she said.
Julia Kent, the director of advocacy and community relations for CAA Atlantic, said there are many avenues drivers can take to try to get reimbursed for damages to their vehicles caused by poor road conditions.
She suggests starting with the municipality, because some accept claims from drivers who believe the damage was caused by neglect by the local government.
“Whether or not you’re going to win that claim depends on your instance in particular,” Kent said.
Typically, claims forms can be found on a city or town’s website and lay out specific conditions for reimbursement. For instance, the City of Moncton states on its form that any claims for pothole damage will be denied and that drivers need to prove the city is liable in court.
Kent said drivers can also contact their insurance provider, but many don’t because they worry it will increase their premium, or because the deductible is greater than the cost of repairs.
LeBlanc’s incident happened on a provincial roadway, which complicates the question of jurisdiction, Kent said.
According to its own claim form, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure must conduct an investigation when a claim is submitted regarding damage to property.
In an email, the department said it encourages drivers to take precautions and follow posted speed limits in construction zones.
What to remember in pothole-prone areas
The same CAA study found 48 per cent of roads in Canada are not considered to be in good condition, nor are they maintained consistently, Kent said.
She echoed the advice of the province to slow down in construction zones, saying it’s the best way to diminish the chance of major damage.
She also advises drivers not to swerve to avoid a pothole, explaining it can be dangerous to you and the drivers around you. If you do hit a pothole hard, pull over.
“We do see so many near misses and sometimes collisions with people pulled over on the side of the road,” she said, adding that it’s important to take extra precautions in that situation.
Calling your local towing company is your next step, Kent said. And she said it’s best to stay in your car until help arrives.
Information Morning – Moncton13:03Potholes in construction zone along stretch of TCH near Moncton claim multiple tires
Deanna LeBlanc of Riverview was one of several drivers who hit a pot hole on the Trans-Canada Highway. Chris Wilson is the general manager Dynamic Towing. Julia Kent is the director of advocacy and community relations for the Canadian Automobile Association.
She is calling for a more proactive approach on behalf of the government when it comes to fixing deteriorating roadways, saying it will save everyone money in the long run to do the work now.
“So this is a win-win situation,” she said. “Lower costs for government if we maintain roads proactively now, and to Canadians.”
