Is it STILL pothole season?

Driving on the north end of the Tri-State Tollway has been an adventure since the current construction project began in earnest last year. And let's not forget the projects to widen bridges that pass over 294. Face it...there's plenty of excitement for everyone. Although we can blame winter weather and the spring thaw for much of the rough pavement we've been forced to endure, the fact is that it's not really over.

So what if...? What if you hit a giant crater at 60 miles per hour? What if a hunk of concrete tumbles from an overpass and damages your car? Well, assuming you survive, the Tollway Authority advises that you do the following:

Safety is our first concern. If you get a flat tire caused by a pothole, when possible, move your vehicle to the shoulder before attempting to change the tire. Also call *999 to request assistance if needed.

To file an insurance claim...

Please note: In order to file an insurance claim, a police report must be filed with the Illinois State Police. Call (630) 241-6800 ext. 5042 to file a report for non-criminal damage as well as incidents that don’t involve injuries, tolls, or hit and runs (in these situations, you need to drive to the nearest toll plaza and speak to an operator).

Please have the following information available when filing the report:

Driver Information

Name, Address, Phone Number, Daytime Contact Information, Date of Birth
Drivers License Number, State, Classification
Vehicle Information
Make, Model, Year of Manufacture
License Plate Number, State
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Name and Address of Owner (if not driver)
Insurance Information
Name of Company
Policy Number

The information mentioned above is required to generate a report.

In many cases, there isn't much you can do to avoid potholes (Rt. 60 between MIlwaukee Avenue and the Tollway for example), but there are some ways to protect your vehicle from damage...

illinoistollway.com suggests:

• Slow down and pay close attention to the road ahead. This increases your reaction time and could lower your risk of serious damage.


• Talk to your auto mechanic. Ask a trusted mechanic to look at your vehicle for uneven wear patterns in your tires. These may indicate misalignment. Also be sure to request a review of your shocks and brakes. Fixing any of these issues may help your car’s chances of withstanding a future pothole hit.


• Avoid driving too close to the side of the road. Potholes are more common in weakened areas which tend to be those that either are joint points or more heavily travel portions of the roadway (where tires actually touch).


• Clean your headlights. Wiping down your headlights on a regular basis is a quick, cheap and easy way to maximize your visibility.


• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you in order to increase time to recognize a pothole.


• Properly inflate your tires. Underinflated tires put you at risk of rim damage and overinflated tires are more susceptible to damage.