Pothole season arrives in Ottawa, costing some drivers hundreds of dollars
With thousands of potholes popping up throughout the city, it's not uncommon for drivers to experience damage caused by these road hazards.
One driver, Rebecca Routhier, said she hit a massive pothole in the east end.
"It was very large. It hit my car so bad I had to pull over," she said. "It felt like my car was pulling. When I went to the mechanic they checked my tires and they realized that the same side that I hit the car is where the rim was warped."
The cost to fix the damage was $800.
"It actually makes me very upset, because it's super expensive to fix your car," Routhier added.
The City of Ottawa receives many claims for damage caused by potholes. In 2021, there were 141 claims by car owners, and the city paid out 10 of them at a cost of $5,000 in total.
In 2022, there were 323 claims, 46 of which were deemed valid. That cost the city $26,000.
Already this year, there have been 183 claims, and seven have been settled, costing $4,000.
City crews filled nearly 24,000 potholes between mid-February and this past weekend.
Filling potholes remains a priority for city staff who manage about 6,000 kilometers of roads, but with all the freeze-thaw cycles in Ottawa, it's hard to keep up. This means that garages are extremely busy at this time fixing damaged vehicles.
Norm Haggar, the manager of Frisby Tire in Nepean, says cars have been steadily showing up for weeks already.
"Last week, we saw an average of two a day with one or two tires damaged on each car."
Fixing pothole damage can cost drivers anywhere from $500 to $1,000, depending on the car.
"You just think it's a puddle of water, then you actually hit down and you're probably dropping three or four inches, and it damages the tire, damages the rim," said Haggar.
Haggar also says if you hit a pothole it might not damage the tire or rim, but could still cause a problem with the alignment. If you feel the car pulling to one side after hitting a pothole, get it checked as soon as possible.
Routhier says that Ottawa's potholes seem to be getting worse every season.
"I've hit potholes before, but nothing compared to this pothole. It sounded like it swallowed my tire," she said.
Drivers who have had damage to their vehicle due to a pothole can make a claim on the city of Ottawa's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.