Michigan’s drivers are paying a heavy price for the state’s rough roads. The constant bumps and potholes are not only irritating, but they are also causing drivers to spend thousands of dollars every year on repairs.
TRIP, a transportation non-profit, recently released a report revealing that drivers in certain parts of the state are shelling out over $3,000 due to poor road conditions. These expenses cover a wide range of factors including repairs, faster vehicle depreciation, losses caused by traffic congestion such as fuel costs and time, and accidents in which inadequate road safety played a role.
According to recent research, Detroit drivers are burdened with the highest road-related expenses in the United States. On average, they have to spend $3,005 annually. Meanwhile, in the Grand Rapids area, drivers are facing an average of almost $2,300 in road-related costs.
According to the report, a staggering 40% of roads across the state are currently rated as being in poor or mediocre condition. Shockingly, this number skyrockets to a whopping 70% when focusing on the city of Detroit alone. Despite the obvious need for repair, the state is unfortunately facing a significant funding gap of $3.9 billion to make the necessary improvements.
“Improving roadway safety is crucial,” emphasized TRIP’s Director of Policy and Research, Rocky Moretti. “When transportation agencies have the sufficient resources to make necessary safety improvements for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, we can observe a substantial benefit in terms of keeping people safe.”
The report suggests that Michigan’s roads require a financial injection to bring them up to standard and to save drivers money.
