Harsh Winter: Potholes Cause Thousands Of Flat Tires

March 7, 2014 5:50 AM

Filed Under: aaa, Pothole

JOPLIN, MO - MAY 25: Tom Burkhart (L) and Johnnie Harrison, of Karnes Pro Tire and Auto Center, fix flat tires of all sizes on May 25, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The company has been fixing flat tires without charge since Monday morning. "At first we were just helping emergency crews," Burkhart said. "But now we are helping anyone who drives up." The tornado that ripped through the town of about 50,000 people May 22 is being called the deadliest single tornado in the U.S. in 60 years. (Photo by Julie Denesha/Getty Images)

credit: Julie Denesha/Getty Images

RICHMOND, Va. — If potholes are any measure, it’s been a hard winter in Virginia.

The Triple A reports that it responded to nearly 9,000 tire-related calls in January and February, up 10 percent from those two months in 2013.

The Triple A Mid-Atlantic says the snow and cold have created vehicle-jarring potholes on road surfaces around Virginia. In February alone, the auto club fielded nearly 4,000 calls from drivers who blew a tire or reported other damage because of potholes.

The Triple A advised motorists to slow down so they can detect and avoid potholes.

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