Why? Why do these constantly plague our streets? Not only are they all over the place, but they have their own evolution from dime-sized holes, to potholes, to craters, until the street pretty much collapses in on itself.

And there can’t be just one. Oh no. There has to be a series of them. These aren’t one-hit wonders, which is funny since those are usually the most annoying songs on the radio. It gets to the point where the city workers have to put a pylon or cone inside of the crater, leave it there, and by the time they come around to fix it, it has sunk further into the ground than it was a few hours prior to that point.

Then comes the issue of actually driving. If you swerve out of the way, you’re putting others in danger, if you go slowly, people will just honk or go around you. If you somehow do hit the crater, your car’s front end could be absolutely destroyed.

In my experiences, I know the streets I drive on every day and where each pothole is. But somehow, it always feels like an accomplishment when I get by them with minimal disruptions in my driving. Memorization is key, because it allows you to focus on the road in front of you, which is what you’re supposed to be doing. Instead, most people have to look and stare downwards, as if it’s an obsession, and it’s dangerous.

Now, I know that city workers have more important things to do, and they can’t get to every street all the time. However, it’s to the point where you can’t drive on these streets at all. In fact, in my city’s downtown area last year, one street actually caved in, trapping a city bus inside of it!

How ridiculous is that? This is my first rant piece, but I feel like doing at least one. It’s tough when you live in a place where weather continuously batters the streets (Canada). By the time the snow melts, you see this brand new street you’ve never seen before. It’s too bad it’s in pieces.

There is no real solution to the problem. Usually, if a hole is big enough, the city workers just come around and fill it in (That doesn’t really work!). I guess I’ll just have to keep on memorizing where they are and try to avoid them to the best of my ability. Don’t even get me started on sewer/manhole covers! Be careful out there!

I hate potholes.