Assemblyman Santabarbara has established a 3 point plan in the State Assembly to change the way potholes are reported and tracked in New York State, and to protect motorists that damage their vehicles on state roads.

1. Create a statewide interactive website to identify potholes, check repair status and find alternate routes (A.1992).
2. Use 21st century tools to allow people to report potholes and road damage from their smartphones and tablets.
3. Make the state accountable for vehicle damages caused by potholes on state roads for the entire year (A.910). Current law EXEMPTS the state from damages that occur from NOVEMBER 15th to May 1st.

Santabarbara is a sponsor of (A.1992) in the State Assembly that would create an interactive website in New York where motorists can report potholes, check their repair status and receive updates. The information reported on the website would allow drivers to assist the Department of Transportation and local crews in prioritizing work during this time of year and also allows drivers to plan their routes with an up-to-date map showing where potholes have already been reported. “As the snow melts and winter gives way to spring, it’s critical that potholes get repaired quickly and efficiently, and we have 21st century tools to help us do it,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “In the digital age we live in, reporting potholes and road damage should simple and easy.”

A companion bill would make the state responsible for pothole damages on state roads all year long (A.910). Current law EXPEMPTS the state from paying for vehicle damages caused by potholes from NOVEMBER 15th to MAY 1st, when potholes are at their worst. “With efficient, web-based reporting, this legislation would create a much fairer system for drivers during the winter and early spring months,” Santabarbara said.

According to a recent analysis by TRIP, a national transportation research group, poor roads costs New York drivers more than $4.9 billion annually. “We shouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars every spring to repair vehicle damage caused by potholes every year,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “We have the technology to make it easier to report potholes, track their repair status and provide alternate routes for motorists while the work is in progress, improving the ability of road crews to make the repairs quickly and efficiently.”