Potholes Are Showing Up More After the Extreme Winter Weather Last Week

Driving in Midland/Odessa is treacherous enough with all the oilfield traffic, but now there are potholes showing up and making the drive even more dangerous for you and your vehicle.

According to NewsWest 9, Gene Powell, Public Information Officer for the Odessa District of TxDOT says "Anytime we have a winter storm like this, water gets into the pavement and freezes and expands and it causes the asphalt to break up, and then as traffic moves over it beats potholes into the road. No way to prevent it really, it just happens."

TxDOT is out on the highways fixing potholes as fast as they can, I have seen them out on Hwy 191.

Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you are on the lookout for potholes as you drive so you don't develop alignment issues or blow out a tire in the most extreme cases.

Watch out also for puddles that could be potholes filled with water, by now all the liquid on the roads should be dried up so avoid the puddle if at all possible.

If you cannot avoid a pothole, make sure you safely slow down and check your rearview mirror to see traffic approaching from behind you.

If you do hit a pothole, check your vehicle after you can get to a safe parking place and check the underside of your vehicle.

If you hear rattling or feel your vehicle vibrating, get your car to a repairman as soon as possible.

Be safe out there as TxDOT gets all the pothole issues fixed.