Mojave County’s highways, byways, and even Interstate 40 are in their most dilapidated condition ever.

Curbside projects, talk of Interstate 11, and myriad proposals have done nothing to improve the shape of the road. Potholes and craters continue to grow in depth and number, and everyday drivers pay the ultimate price in many ways.

A pothole this size poses a much bigger problem than the occasional puncture. Exterior damage, suspension component damage, and even the infamous “death wobble” can all be caused by roads in need of repair. (Death Wobble is a term coined by automotive enthusiasts to refer to an unstable condition in a vehicle’s steering and suspension components, including dislodged stabilizer linkages, worn steering rods, and worn ball joints. .) greatly increases the chances of encountering a fatal collision.

You can also steer to avoid potholes or lose control of your car on impact, causing a direct collision.

Many drivers in Mojave County simply drive in the passing lane to avoid the dire nature of the right lane. This is especially true on Highway 93, which effectively renders the entire right lane between Kingman and Dolan Springs unusable.

Another method is to use back roads and side roads to avoid damaged main roads. As such, these service roads must handle a greater workload than they are designed for. Legend Ranch Road, which connects Highway 68 and Highway 93, was severely damaged.

If the state doesn’t fix the highway soon, it will not only be financially unsound in the long term, but it will continue to pose a risk to its citizens.

Matthew Blair

Kingman