Dodging potholes: What every motorist should know  

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If you recently felt a nasty jolt while driving or noticed your car pulling a little more than usual, chances are you’ve met one of SA’s most infamous road villains – the dreaded pothole.

Dylan Petzer, the national vice chairman of the Tyre, Equipment and Parts Association (TEPA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says it’s officially pothole season thanks to the April rains, and SA motorists are dodging craters like it’s a real-life game of Mario Kart.

“And unfortunately, when you lose, your rims pay the price,” he says.
According to Petzer, it’s not just your tyre that takes a hit.
“In about 80% of cases, the rim gets bent, cracked or completely wrecked. We’re not talking about minor damage. Rim damage can affect your car’s alignment and suspension, too. That’s when things go from annoying to expensive.”

Petzer says the TEPA has seen more cars arriving at tyre centres in Gauteng with pothole-related damage, and rim replacements have more than doubled over the last few years.

But here’s the good news: you don’t always need to fork out for a new rim.

“A quality repair from a reputable specialist can save your wallet and ride if you go to the right place.”
Petzer says motorists should ask their fitment centre if the repairer is SABS-approved and, ideally, ISO 9001-accredited.

Petzer also offers tips to keep your car in top shape this pothole season:
• Watch for puddles because they hide potholes better than a magician hides rabbits;
• Don’t slam on the brakes when you hit one; it worsens the damage;
• Feel a weird vibration in your seat or steering wheel? That’s your car begging for help.
• Got a gut feeling something’s off? Trust it. Pop into a TEPA-accredited fitment centre for a once-over.
Remember, if the damage happened on a national road (like an N1 or N3), you might be able to lodge a claim with the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral). It takes a bit of effort, but every bit helps, adds Petzer.

Here’s what you need to know:
You can claim if:
• the pothole was on a national road under SANRAL’s jurisdiction;
• you can prove that the damage occurred because of that specific pothole;
• you report the incident and submit a claim following their process.

You cannot claim if:
• the road is a municipal or provincial (these fall under local or provincial government, not Sanral);
• you don’t have evidence (like photos, repair invoices and location details).

How to claim from Sanral:
Report the pothole and incident to Sanral via their website or contact centre;
Submit a written claim detailing:
• Date, time and exact location of the incident;
• Description of the damage;
• Photographic evidence (of the pothole and damage);
• Proof of repair costs;
• Vehicle and driver details;
Wait for the assessment. Sanral might inspect the site and vehicle before approving compensation.
So, don’t curse the road the next time your car shudders mid-drive. Get it checked, repaired (not replaced) and back on track without draining your savings.