The seventh annual CAA Saskatchewan Worst Roads Campaign is now in its third week. Approximately 940 votes have been received for the nominated roads from various provincial road users including drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists.
The current top ten CAA Worst Roads for 2019 are:
1. Saskatchewan 26, Goodsoil
2. Highway 21, Paradise Hill
3. Dolphin Bay, Regina
4. Blakeney Drive, Regina
5. Cowan Crescent, Regina
6. Saskatchewan 795, (between St. Walburg and Livelong)
7. 13th Avenue Northwest, Moose Jaw
8. 1 Avenue Southeast, Moose Jaw
9. Catherwood Crescent, Regina
10. Grant Drive, Regina
Potholes and crumbling pavement are the top problems identified by voters. According to Scott McIntyre, VP of Automotive Services with CAA Saskatchewan: “Hitting potholes can accelerate the lifespan of your vehicle’s suspension parts including shocks and struts, coil springs, ball joints and tie rods. Tires and rims can be damaged and destroyed upon impact. The wheel alignment can also be affected but not readily detected.”
To help motorists better understand the types of vehicle damage caused by worst roads, the team at the CAA Car Care Centre at Regina Battery Depot have provided the following information:
• If the vehicle bottoms out in a large pothole, you can damage the plastic bumpers and spoilers especially if the vehicle sits low to the ground (typical with smaller cars and sportier models).
• In extreme cases, the suspension parts can break, and the driver will lose control of the vehicle. CAA recommends that suspension, steering and brake systems be inspected twice a year to make sure they are in good condition.
• Potholes and ruts can cause the wheel alignment setting to go out of specification. A wheel alignment should be performed once a year as this will prevent tire wear and allow the vehicle to steer the way the vehicle manufacturer designed the vehicle to handle (steering control of the vehicle).
• Other problems motorists could encounter when driving on rough roads could be damage to engine oil pans. Aluminum oil pans on many of the new vehicles could be damaged if the oil pan contacts the pavement surface when a large pothole is experienced (stamped steel oil pans can also be damaged but to a lesser extent as they will bend before they break unlike aluminum oil pans that will crack).
• Tires and wheels can be damaged by large potholes. Tire side walls can be cut by the pavement and wheels can bend or break. Steel wheels will bend, and aluminum wheels could break causing the tire to go flat. A flat tire will cause a vehicle control problem for the motorist.
Tami Knippshild, Manager of Underwriting and Claims with CAA Auto Insurance has advised that it’s best to check the vehicle’s collision policy to see if any repairs are covered. Knippshild added that if you plan to make a claim, here’s what you need to know:
• Typically tire damage resulting from driving on potholes or crumbling pavement is considered a collision. This tire damage is normally not covered under the plates and the extension auto policy. However, if there is damage to the vehicle itself, then the tires can be included in the claim.
• Tires under the plates and auto insurance policy are settled on a depreciated basis - not at the replacement cost.
•The claim is considered a chargeable accident under both the plates and extension insurance. The insured will be assigned six demerit points under the plates’ insurance with the Highway Traffic Board.
• The plates and policy deductible will still apply. Some collision insurance policies may address tire replacement or maintenance costs. Terry MacDonald, VP, Insurance Services with CAA Saskatchewan advises; “Double check your policy to see what is or is not covered. We’ve included free CAA tire coverage at no additional cost with the purchase of a CAA Home and Plates Plus Package Policy. This allows the insured to have additional coverage for the tires outside of the existing manufacturer’s warranty.”
The 2019 CAA Saskatchewan’s Worst Roads campaign is on now until May 8th. Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists can nominate and vote for their worst roads at caask.ca/worstroads.
CAA Saskatchewan acknowledges the improvements made to Saskatchewan roads and highways for the safety of all road users. Saskatchewan is a land-locked province with over 228,000 km of roads, more than other any province.
