Potholes Dug Deep in Roads
Causing Tire Damage and Steering Issues When Driven Over
Experts: "One of the Dangerous Hazards for Drivers... Needs Closer Inspection"
Potholes formed in various parts of the road. The middle of the road is deeply sunken, making it look dangerous. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Jumi Lee] Potholes, the holes that appear in various places on the road, are threatening drivers. Especially, potholes occur frequently during the thawing season, and as spring approaches, there are ongoing calls for prompt measures to prevent accidents. Experts emphasize that potholes are a major cause of serious accidents and that more comprehensive countermeasures are necessary.
In June 2018, a 5-ton dump truck collided with an oncoming passenger car in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. At the accident site, there was a sunken hole, a pothole, and the driver in his 50s died in the accident. This accident highlighted the real danger of potholes, which can cause vehicles to be thrown off the road or invade other lanes.
Potholes are named for their pot-like (Pot) hole (Hole) shape formed when parts of the road break down. They mainly occur when rainwater or snow seeps into weakened asphalt roads and pressure is applied. During winter, repeated freezing and thawing cause cracks in the asphalt, and when vehicles pass over these cracks, parts of the road break or sink, creating large holes. Passing over these holes can cause loss of vehicle control, leading to serious accidents.
Calcium chloride, used to melt snow in winter, also accelerates pothole formation. When deicing materials like calcium chloride seep into the road, they weaken or lift the asphalt. Ultimately, when overloaded vehicles pass over the weakened road, the cracks expand and potholes can form.
Potholes on the road. Potholes pose a risk of causing traffic accidents by damaging tires. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In fact, pothole occurrences have surged recently due to winter conditions. According to Gwangju Metropolitan City, about 8,200 potholes were reported in Gwangju during January and February following heavy snowfall and rain last winter. Additionally, on the 2nd of this month, rain on weakened roads caused potholes to appear in many places, resulting in reports of tire damage to about 100 vehicles in a single day.
According to the Chungbuk Road Management Office, about 280 pothole reports were received in Chungbuk from November to the end of January. Given this situation, many drivers have expressed anxiety about the recent surge in potholes on internet communities where drivers gather.
A member of a car enthusiast cafe, Mr. A, said, "These days, it seems like there are really many potholes while driving," adding, "I've been startled more than once while driving. It's really scary."
Another cafe member, Mr. B, also expressed concern, saying, "After the rain, a huge number of potholes appeared," and "I feel like accidents will happen either by trying to avoid potholes or by hitting them."
A recent post on an internet community expressing concerns about potholes. Photo by Internet Cafe Capture
As such, potholes cause accidents both big and small, threatening driver safety. This is why potholes are called "landmines on the road." Experiments conducted by the Korea Road Traffic Authority showed that when vehicles pass over potholes, tire sidewalls can bulge or tear. In more severe cases, damage or deformation of tires and wheels, loss of air pressure, and even vehicle overturning can occur, leading to major accidents.
Not only vehicles but also motorcycles on the road are defenselessly exposed to pothole risks. In July 2016, a motorcyclist in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Province, crashed into a roadside retaining wall and died after losing balance when the front wheel caught in a pothole.
In 2013, a police officer riding a motorcycle died after hitting a central divider while passing over a pothole. The fact that potholes cause accidents is also confirmed by statistics. According to former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Eun-kwon Lee, from 2017 to May 2019, there were a total of 5,527 traffic accidents nationwide caused by potholes. Among these, 654 involved personal injuries.
Also, according to the Korea Expressway Corporation, compensation for damages caused by pothole accidents on national highways from 2015 to 2019 amounted to 1.75 billion won.
To prevent recurring damage caused by potholes around the same time every year, fundamental countermeasures are needed. Currently, most responses to potholes involve filling the holes with emergency road repair materials like bagged asphalt concrete. Since damage repeats, more detailed measures such as managing overloaded vehicles to reduce road durability burdens are also called for.
Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive measures, including vehicle management, to reduce pothole damage. Professor Jae-ho Choi of Dong-A University’s Department of Civil Engineering said, "The reason potholes are treated with temporary emergency measures is partly to maintain smooth traffic flow without interruption," adding, "For overloaded vehicles that put heavy weight on roads, measures such as providing detours to use other roads are necessary." He continued, "Potholes are one of the very dangerous harmful factors to drivers as they cause significant damage to vehicles," emphasizing, "It is especially important to monitor areas where many overloaded vehicles pass."
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