Pothole season in Winnipeg kicks off with 40 claims to MPI in March

In Winnipeg, spring means the days become longer and — if it's a good year — a break from the bitter cold. But the season also brings something that can mean big trouble for Manitoba drivers: Potholes.

According to Brian Smiley, spokesman for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), 40 pothole-related incidents have been reported since the beginning of March, and he expects plenty more.

He says in the months following the start of spring, MPI typically hears around 1,200 claims from drivers whose vehicles have been damaged by holes in the road.

That damage commonly includes front end wreckage, blown tires, bent rims and tire rods, or crashes that happen when a vehicle collides into another while trying to avoid a pothole.

And the average claim, Smiley says, ranges from $1,500 to $1,600.

There is a special assessment process for drivers who report damage by potholes, which Smiley says is the result of freezing and thawing weather conditions.

If the driver hasn't taken what he calls "defensive action," meaning if they don't change lanes, and they drive through the pothole at a high rate of speed, they will be held responsible for the damage.

"The estimator, [a] highly experienced person, will determine if that person hit a pothole, [as] opposed to running into a curb or hitting a stationary object," Smiley said.

"I can tell you MPI isn't looking to find the driver at fault."

According to the City of Winnipeg, crews are working to repair potholes 24/7 and the public can help the process by reporting potholes by calling 311.