LANSING, Mich. — For motorists, this season feels never ending while waiting for the potholes to be filled.
Some motorists are even considering fixing potholes themselves.
But according to MDOT and County Road Commissions, filling potholes on your own can be dangerous to yourself and others.
MDOT says that according to the Michigan Code of Law, that even if you wanted to patch your own potholes, you would need a permit for it because it is so hazardous.
"You almost got to have one person watching for traffic while the other guy is patching potholes and the average citizen can't do that," said Bob Griffins of the Jackson County Department of Transportation. "They don't know the dangers."
Besides distracted drivers, the Jackson County Department of Transportation says other dangers can arise from patching potholes incorrectly.
"Though it seems so simple if you filled it a little too full, you have created a bump. If a motorist hits that bump. it could actually cause an accident and nobody wants that liability or thought on their mind," said Griffins.
Even if you feel like you did fill your pothole correctly, the road commission tells News 10 that other materials as opposed to hot asphalt laid by professionals, are not durable long term.
"If you fill in a pothole and it doesn't last like if one of our guys did it, whats the point of filling it in the first place?" said Aaron Jenkins of MDOT.
Now if you do have holes in your driveway, both MDOT and the road commission says you are free to fix those on your own.
"It would be what we call the improved surface of the road, the width of the actual road," explained Griffins. "If their driveway comes up and approaches the road, that part coming up to it, by all means they can fix it, but once there's that line that comes to the edge of the road, please stay out of that."
Both agencies say they have seen an increase of potholes the past few years and have 15 different crews out right now patching away.
"We understand the urge of people wanting to get out and fix it themselves to get it done quicker or feel like we haven't gotten it on time but please give us a call at the office and we will put in a service request to get it done ASAP," said Griffins.
Authorities say not only could you be fined for patching a pothole without a permit, but you could also be ticketed for more than $200 for impeding traffic.
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