Nation's Motorists Pay $41.5 Billion a Year

    Ends: Report Has State-By-State Data on Extra Vehicle Operating Costs.
     Highest Costs Per Motorists Are in New Mexico, Missouri, Louisiana,
           California, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Arkansas, Wisconsin,
                           Vermont and Mississippi.

    WASHINGTON, April 2 Driving on roads in need of repair
costs American motorists $41.5 billion a year in additional vehicle operating
costs -- or $222 per motorist, a nonprofit transportation research group based
in Washington, D.C. reported today.

    The Road Information Program (TRIP) released the report in early Spring at
a time when bad roads conditions also result in the formation of potholes.
TRIP calculated the extra costs motorists pay to drive on roads in need of
repair based on the condition of the nation's roads. Nationwide, 28 percent,
of major roads in the country are in poor or mediocre condition and need
repair.

    "Driving on roads in need of repair results in extra costs in areas such
as additional tire wear, damage to shock absorbers and wheel alignment and
extra fuel consumption," said William M. Wilkins, Trip's Executive Director
"These extra vehicle operating costs are 'hidden taxes' that American
motorists pay to drive on bad roads."

    The TRIP report, "Extra Vehicle Operating Costs: What Motorists Pay to
Drive on Roads in Need of Repair," was released today. The report is based on
TRIP's analysis of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data.

    The report analyzed the data on a state-by-state basis. The 10 states with
the highest extra vehicle operating costs (EVOC) per motorist are New Mexico,
$432;  Missouri, $388; Louisiana, $387; California, $354; Oklahoma, $351;
South Dakota, $325; Arkansas, $325; Wisconsin, $319; Vermont, $297; and
Mississippi, $278.

    Wilkins also pointed out that motorists are especially likely to notice
these extra costs during the Springtime when potholes begin appearing.

    "When roads are in poor or mediocre condition they are likely to have
cracks in the pavement that then develop into potholes," Wilkins said. "When
motorists drive over these potholes, it's going to cost them."

    TRIP's extra vehicle operating costs are calculated based on the amount of
highway travel that takes place by driving on roads in need of repair and
applying factors such as the annual expense it takes to operate a vehicle as
calculated by AAA. It also is based on government studies that show that it
costs more to operate a vehicle on roads in poor or mediocre condition than it
would if those roads were in good condition.

    Wilkins pointed out that the reason that a significant percentage of roads
need repair throughout the nation is that state departments of transportation
do not have sufficient funding available to make the needed repairs.

    "There has been some improvement in overall road conditions in recent
years, primarily because of increased transportation funding at the federal
level and in some states," Wilkins said. "But we still have nearly three out
of every 10 miles that need repair and that translates into extra vehicle
costs for motorists."

    "Because bad road conditions are a significant factor in the amount each
and every driver pays, increased investment in highway transportation
infrastructure at state and federal levels to help make needed repairs would
help reduce these extra costs," Wilkins said.

    Wilkins also pointed out that a recently released poll conducted for the
Federal Highway Administration and the National Partnership for Highway
Quality found significant public support for the use of more durable materials
in the resurfacing of roads. The use of durable paving materials was the top
choice cited by motorists when asked about preferred transportation
improvements to combat traffic delays.

    "It's crucial to make timely repairs of good quality, since studies have
shown that it costs a lot less to repair roads in fair condition than roads in
poor condition," Wilkins said. "Also, the use of more durable paving materials
can help extend the life of road surfaces."

    One way to reduce repair needs and prevent pothole formation is to
emphasize improved technology that can help make roads more durable and longer
lasting.

    "States with aggressive preventive maintenance programs can intercept
roadway deterioration before potholes develop," said Bill Ballou, President of
the Foundation for Pavement Preservation. "Preventive maintenance must be done
on highways in good condition. It's like changing the oil on a vehicle to make
sure that major damage does not occur."

    Ballou pointed out that when pavement in good condition declines to fair
or poor condition, then more expensive treatments such as rehabilitation and
reconstruction are necessary.