RI's Roads Are Ranked Worst in America Again and Cost Drivers 51% More

RI's Roads Are Ranked Worst in America Again and Cost Drivers 51% More

Rhode Island has once again come in last for the quality of the conditions of its roads and the implications are it is costing Rhode Islanders far more than the Average American driver.

Despite billions being spent over the past decade, Rhode Island came last in every category in a new study released  by the insurance industry

“America’s deteriorating roads and bridges are costing drivers money. Our team of analysts found that poor roads and bridges cost drivers an average of $556 every year. Nationwide, nearly 20% of America’s roads and 5% of bridges are currently in unacceptable condition,” said the report.

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While the national average cost to American drivers is $556 each year, the cost for Rhode Island drivers is $845 — 51% higher.

This is another national study ranking Rhode Island roads as the worst. For the past eight years, Peter Alviti has served as the director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and was recently reappointed by Governor Dan McKee.

Despite about two dozen organizations and individuals opposing his reappointment, Alviti was overwhelmingly confirmed by the State Senate.

 

51% More Expensive for RI Drivers

What’s not included in the table above is the cost of repairing your car and the effect poor road infrastructure can have on your insurance. It’s estimated that driving on poor-condition roads costs each driver $533 in vehicle repairs and operating costs. If road conditions contribute to a crash, that can get even more expensive. Filing a claim can increase your auto insurance premium, and getting into an accident can also increase premiums by 42% or more.

Unmaintained roads can also lead to an increase in poor road conditions such as potholes. Potholes can both contribute to car accidents and cause significant damage to a vehicle. The average repair bill associated with a pothole mishap is $306.

 

 

 

Methodology

States are ranked one to 50, with one being the worst overall road infrastructure and 50 being the best overall road infrastructure. Rankings are based on a composite score of the percentage of non-acceptable roads and the percentage of the state's total bridge deck area that is considered to be poor and structurally deficient. Also included in the composite score rank is the cost per motorist that is allocated towards repairing bridge and road infrastructure. READ MORE HERE