Potholes from hell are pestering Americans all over the country. Click ahead to find out what causes potholes and how you can prevent expensive repairs

Potholes can cause significant damage to your vehicle.

Don’t take potholes lightly. They can flatten tires, knock out hubcaps, and mess up your wheel alignment.

According to AAA, potholes caused $6.4 billion in damage last year. On average, potholes cause roughly $5.4 billion in damage every year.

Hitting one pothole probably won’t hurt your vehicle. If you drive over potholes on a regular basis, the damage could add up.

Why are potholes so much worse during spring?

Rain and snow sneak into roadway cracks during winter. If it gets cold enough, water freezes overnight. There isn’t enough space to contain a block of ice, so dirt and gravel get shoved out of the asphalt.

When that water melts, a hole is left in its place. The hole grows in size as people drive over it. Potholes can’t be eliminated due to limitations with the material used to make our roads. Some experts suggest following a strict road maintenance schedule can decrease the severity of potholes.

Cautious drivers can prevent expensive repairs.

There are a few ways to protect yourself. First, heighten your awareness. If you’re not paying attention, you might not see a pothole until it’s too late.

Keep an eye on the car in front of you. If it makes a sudden movement, the driver could be steering to avoid a pothole. Don’t follow them too closely or you won’t have enough time to get out of the way.

Slow down in areas where you know there are potholes. If you roll over a pothole, don’t slam your brakes. It’s better to gently roll over it. Finally, make sure your tires are properly inflated to make a flat less likely.

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