Driving too fast, not keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you, and driving on rough or damaged roads can lead to tire damage from road hazards. For instance, we all know that hitting a pothole at 40 miles per hour is not good. Depending on the tire design and pothole depth, even hitting a pothole at 20 m.p.h. can cause significant damage to the tire sidewall, which is nonrepairable. Be especially careful after heavy rains or inclement weather when new potholes typically appear.
If the pothole is unavoidable, it is always safer to go through it than to swerve at the last moment. If you are able to slow down before driving over a pothole, try to do so, as rolling over a pothole can cause less damage to your tires than driving over it at a higher speed. Keep in mind that properly inflated tires are less likely to sustain significant damage from potholes and other road hazards.
