3 ms·

> In the rare case it does happen, the utility company would/should be at fault for leaving a manhole open like that. They're who's at fault, but you're the on

• croon 10y ago
  > They're who's at fault, but you're the one who's dead. This is what my dad taught me too and why I've since always been cautious both as a driver, bicyclist and pedestrian even when I'm in the right to drive/go. Being right isn't as fun when someone's on their way to the hospital/morgue.
• cr0sh 10y ago
  An open manhole will not cause you to veer out of control and die in a horrific accident. At worst, you might have a blowout. But in general, unless you have a very small car, most cars tires are larger in diameter than the diameter of the pothole. Provided that your tires are normal (and not the thin-sidewall don't-my-ride-look-cool tires with big rims), and in relatively normal balance - and you are going a normal speed - it most likely will drop slightly then bounce off the lip, jarring car forcefully, but likely not doing much damage. If the tire doesn't blow (it may), then you might get a cracked rim (if alloy) or bent rim (if steel and depending on the force and deformation), and you would probably want to have the tire inspected (because the plys may be compromised in the area from the sharp impact, which could cause premature interior delamination of the tire in the future). Yes - ideally you want you or your car to avoid an open manhole or large pothole, but in general, its unlikely to be the cause of a serious accident.