A Call to Action: Potholes

For years, roads have played a huge role in the economy of the United States. From times of hunting and trading until now, roads have always been the key way of transportation, as well as some communication. This is why it is crucial to focus on the importance of roads, and make sure that these are always in top condition and safe for everyone driving on them. Lately, there have been major pothole problems in certain states. Potholes cause frequent accidents, auto damage, and other driving-related problems. Potholes are a rising threat to all drivers of these states. States which have pothole problems are in immediate need of road repair because potholes propose a threat to all who drive on the roads.

To really look into how to get rid of potholes and where they're located, people will have to first know how and why potholes are even formed in roads, and why they're formed only in certain states or regions of our nation. Potholes tend to occur in colder climates, because they are formed when ice and snow melt, in freeze-thaw cycles. The water from this melting seeps beneath the road, and freezes again once it gets cold over night. The ice expands, and then forces the pavement above to break and expand. Eventually, these deformed patches of pavement break apart and erode into huge potholes, which propose major threats to people driving (Definition: Pothole).

Potholes can cause damage to any type of car, to any driver, at any time (Brueck). Potholes tend to be very hard to spot, especially while driving at night or in unfamiliar areas. If drivers even go to speed limit in an area where there are potholes, they are in serious danger. Potholes have often caused people's vehicles to go off the road when driven across. Usually, a flat and other tires or car body problems occur when the car drives through or over a pothole (Brueck). These are obviously some serious problems caused by potholes, and need to be dealt with immediately.

To take action, people really need to pay attention more to these potholes (Call for action). There are websites and hotlines which can be called to report a pothole. Of course it may take some time and money to get all of these potholes fixed, but eventually, the roads can be clear of these dangerous potholes if everyone contributes and attempts to make the road better via reporting a pothole when they spot one (What it Costs). If everyone were to report one pothole within this next month, all of the potholes could potentially be gone within the next year! Of course one can't expect results so sudden like this, but over time, our roads can definitely become better with the aid of all citizens in the states with the serious problem (Call for action).

In conclusion, there are some obvious problems with potholes. They form in states with cold and snowy weather such as Michigan, they can cause damage to anyone unexpectedly, and people need to take action. States which have pothole problems are in immediate need of road repair because potholes propose a threat to all who drive on the roads. So get out there and do your best to do your own part in the repair of these excessive potholes in colder states!

Sources: Parenthetical Citation Given
"What it costs to repair potholes on Michigan's trunklines" Department of Transportation, http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615_30883-93195--,00.html

Definition: Pothole, Answers.com, http://www.answers.com/topic/pothole?cat=technology

Brueck, Dana. "Pothole Damage". The Morning Show, 15. http://www.nbc15.com/morningshow/headlines/16965801.html

"Call For Action: South Side Potholes", NBC Action News
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/content/cfa/story.aspx?content_id=e782615a-d2c3-4bdb-88b5-d636bcbb0904