Rochester N.Y. (WHAM) — Rochester-area drivers may soon see relief from costly pothole repairs if a new proposal in the New York State Senate becomes law.
State Sen. Jeremy Cooney is pushing legislation that would expand when the state is responsible for vehicle damage caused by potholes on state roads.
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Under current law, drivers can only seek compensation from the state for pothole-related damage between May 1 and November 15. Outside of that window, the state is not liable.
“It would remove the blackout period so that the state of New York would be responsible for helping to fix and repair these vehicles that are damaged on state roads,” Cooney said.
For many local drivers, potholes are more than just a nuisance — they can lead to expensive repairs.
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“You can’t not hit a pothole around here, it’s impossible,” said Allison Snyder of Alfred Station.
Others describe more severe impacts. Max Haas recalled hitting a pothole at highway speed.
“I smacked it going like 65 and the whole car shakes, it’s scary,” he said.
Even when damage isn’t immediately obvious, repairs can add up. Haas said one incident resulted in about $4,000 in suspension repairs.
Alex Rheinwald, co-owner of Fox’s Deli in Henrietta, reported replacing a tire shortly after purchasing a vehicle, costing around $200.
Another driver, John Didio, said a pothole “literally ruined” his car’s alignment.
Responsibility for pothole damage depends on where the damage occurs:
Town and city roads: Local municipalities can be held responsible year-round.State roads: The state is only liable between May 1 and November 15.
“I feel like the time for potholes are any time in the winter, you’ve got them growing with ice,” Snyder said.
If Senate Bill S3276 is passed, Cooney said a pothole would have to be reported to the state in advance to qualify for reimbursement, and the state would cover up to $5,000 in damages.
Cooney is also advocating for the NYS Department of Transportation to create a new online mapping tool for reporting potholes, and requiring the DOT to repair reported potholes within 15 days.
Data from AAA highlights how widespread the issue is.
“So in 2023, AAA did a report and showed that two in 10 drivers had to actually go to a garage to have repairs done,” said Elizabeth Carey, director of public relations at AAA Western and Central New York. “This was across the country due to pothole damage, and the average repair costs in 2022 were about $406.”
For drivers like Didio, the proposal is a matter of fairness.
“We spend a lot of money on our cars, so we shouldn’t have the lack of maintenance on the roads destroying it,” he said.
If approved, the law would take effect next season, potentially offering financial relief to thousands of New York drivers dealing with pothole damage year-round.