Potholes And Traffic Are Costing Michigan Drivers Over $4k A Year

There is one thing everyone in the state of Michigan can agree on, and that's how much we hate Potholes and Traffic. But, they may be doing more than annoying us: they're putting large dent in our wallets every year.

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While we are legally required to have insurance on our vehicles in the state of Michigan, that insurance doesn't cover some of the nasty things we may encounter on our commutes. Things like pothole damage and nails in our tires cost us out of pocket, and those damages can add up quickly.

But the obvious problems aren't the only ones costing us out of pocket, it turns out that things like wasting time in traffic also cost us a lot of money too.

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According to a survey from TRIP (One of the top national transpiration research non-profits) the average Michigander can expect to pay $4,845 a year due to potholes, traffic issues, and other roadway hazards, and based on way our roads are currently deteriorating, without an increase in funding, it cost $6,100 per Michigan citizen by 2031.

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The report says that 24%, of the Michigan’s major roadways/highways are rated in poor condition,43% of the roadways are in fair condition, and that only 34% are rated in good condition.

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They also found that more than 10% of bridges across the state of Michigan are in bad shape. TRIP rated these bridges as structurally deficient, which means there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, or other major components.

How big of an impact is this making statewide?

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They estimate that poor roads cost the state $19.3 billion per year in maintenance, crashes, backups and car repairs.

How much will it cost us to fix?

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In order to maintain the status quo of road conditions, Michigan lawmakers must spend $2 billion per year during the next decade, the report estimates. To make “significant” improvements by 2031, the annual price tag is estimated to be $2.8 billion per year.

So while we are appreciative of Governor Whitmer's plan to "fix the damn roads", it can't come sooner. And until then, it may not be a bad idea to invest in the insurance when you buy your next set of tires.

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Source: Potholes And Traffic Are Costing Michigan Drivers Over $4k A Year

Filed Under: Michigan Potholes, potholes