Driving in Montreal has become quite a challenge. The "pothole situation" is ridiculous and is becoming unbearable. Our streets have become mazes and drivers now zigzag around to avoid driving into a hole. And we all know that zigzagging on the road is only a recipe for disaster. I witness many cars driving into potholes, and let me tell you, it's not a pretty sight. People swearing and yelling at god knows who, which aggravates them even more because they feel that there's only themselves to blame for being stupid enough to not have seen that pot hole. It's a very infuriating situation for everyone involved. Whether you realize it or not, driving has become a game of "avoid the pot hole". Personally, I drive with my eyes on the road. Literally. I no longer pay attention to the car in front of me because it's more likely that I will get into an accident because of a pothole. All in all, potholes bring out the bad driver in all of us.

Eventually, with time, I adapted a totally different approach to road rage. I grew so accustomed to potholes that I no longer swear or hit something when I drive into one. If I'm avoiding a pothole or casually driving into one, my passenger is always amazed at my calm, cool and collected attitude- not to brag or anything. And then, one day, I noticed a huge pothole on the service road and was so scared to drive into it and getting a flat tire that I ended up driving onto the sidewalk instead and still getting a flat tire! From that moment on, I no longer have a cool, calm and collected attitude. I'm sure potholes are out to get me... enough is enough!

Not only are we Montrealers aware of the horrible state of streets, so is the world! Well, the world is maybe an exaggeration, but you get the point. I have met countless tourists driving from other parts of Canada or from the United States who never fail to mention the holes in our streets. Why do you have so many holes in your streets, they ask. Holes? What holes, I say. Oh you mean that ditch in the middle of the road? Don't worry about it; they will put a cone on it or something. Not only is the city, and by city I mean mafia, doing absolutely nothing to fix this problem, the holes are getting bigger and more numerous. We are so desperate for a solution that there is even a Montreal pothole survivor guide. We consider ourselves survivors now; it has come to that. 

In any case, this situation is ridiculous. Seeing that nothing is being done about this, I would suggest buying a jeep- or a tank. I would also like to point out that this pothole situation does not only concern drivers, but also bikers and anyone who rides bicycles, roller blades, skate boards, or anything on wheels for that matter. Come to think of it, people who walk also. I wouldn't be surprised if someone actually walked into a pothole. Potholes are a hazard to practically everyone. Unless it's winter. Then, all the holes are covered with snow and ice and people slip instead. And then, behold! Spring is here, and there are magical potholes everywhere! If only they could magically disappear instead!

Image source: Flickr.