Ontario’s drivers aren’t expecting streets to be paved with gold, but a little love and care can go a long way, and save motorists in the pocketbook.
The nomination portal for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign is now open, and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is giving Ontarians the opportunity to voice their concerns about the bad roads in their communities.
"Our research shows that 85 per cent of Ontarians are concerned about the state of our roads," says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations, CAA SCO. "The campaign has been a vital platform for Ontarians to nominate roads they believe need urgent attention. It allows Ontarians to drive positive change in their communities by amplifying their voices."
According to a survey conducted by CAA SCO, nearly half of respondents have experienced vehicle damage because of poor roads. Eighty-one per cent pay out of pocket to repair their vehicle, only three per cent file a claim with their personal auto insurance and nine per cent forego repairs altogether.
Vehicle damage caused by potholes and poor road maintenance can range from $500 to over $2,000. The average repair by those surveyed cost $933, a significant $81 increase from 2024.
"With the increasing cost of living, many people hold on to their cars for longer when damaged, the last thing they need is expensive repair bills on an already stretched household budget," adds Di Felice.
The survey also found that cracked pavement remains the most dominant road-related issue (88 per cent), followed by potholes (84 per cent) and congestion (81 per cent – up four per cent from 2024).
One of the highest-climbing road-related issues Members reported is reduced or closed lanes, where 78 per cent of respondents agreed it is common in their region—up six per cent from last year.
More than half of respondents (64 per cent) also agreed that not enough is currently being done to maintain the roads in their area.
In 2024, Aberdeen Road in Hamilton got the most votes for the worst road in Ontario.
One road from our region, Laclie Street in Orillia, made the Top Ten list provincially last year, checking in at number 10. But it was number one on the Central Region Top Five List, which includes Simcoe, Grey, Dufferin, and Bruce Counties, as well as Muskoka.
Others on the Central Region 2024 list were Huronia Road, Essa Road, and Victoria Street in Barrie, and Fraserburg Road in Bracebridge.
Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com from March 25 to April 18. Once the nominations are collected, CAA will reveal the top 10 worst roads in the province to the public.
