Poor’ US Roads Cost Drivers $52 billion Annually

The poor quality of American roads cost vehicle owners an extra $52 billion in annual repair, according to Market Analysis, a quarterly market research newsletter published by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). According to the Tire Review report, poor road conditions may also play a role in nearly 30 per cent of traffic fatalities, MEMA has found.

In its report, MEMA cites The Road Information Program (TRIP), which examines the data provided by the US government for both miles driven and pavement roughness. The data allows an approximation of the magnitude of the impact that poor surface quality can have.

MEMA’s key findings included the following:

• Of all the miles measured in the District of Columbia, where the nation’s capital is situated, not a single one would rate “good” on the IRI scale.

• 82 per cent of miles driven on DC roads are “less than acceptable” by National Highway Safety (NHS) ride quality standards.

• New York state drivers logged the most miles on “worst” roads.

• By contrast, Floridians drove more than 92 billion miles on “very good” roads.

• Massachusetts is the worst state for driving – 28.30% of miles are logged on “less than acceptable” roads.