While New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pushes to fill thousands of the state’s potholes in the coming weeks and months, an upstate lawmaker wants to expand New Yorkers’ ability to hold the state liable for pothole damage to their cars.
Around 44,000 potholes are expected to be filled through $600 million worth of paving projects as the weather warms up across the state, Hochul announced last week.
The asphalt cavities have proven to be a real issue for New York drivers as a recent AAA survey revealed nearly 2-in-10 drivers reported they had to get their vehicle repaired after hitting a pothole in 2023. A report released earlier this year by transportation research nonprofit TRIP also revealed that deteriorating roads cost state drivers over $40 billion each year, which is up $2 billion from 2025.
Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, wants to alleviate some of those financial costs through a new piece of legislation that would extend which months in the year the state would have to help pay for your car’s pothole damage.
“Potholes can bring pain, panic, and unexpected payments,” Cooney said.
Here’s how this proposed legislation would save you money.
How this bill would help New Yorkers hold the state accountable for pothole damage
New Yorkers can currently pursue damages from their city, town and village all year round when their vehicle is damaged by a pothole on a local road.
Drivers are not afforded the same benefit if the damage occurs on a state road, however. The state is only held liable between May 1 and November 15, according to state law. Cooney’s proposed bill would bring the law in line with that of municipalities, allowing New York drivers to pursue compensation from the state during the winter months as well.
The only stipulation is that the pothole would have needed to be reported to the state ahead of time in order for the state to be held liable, which is true at the local level as well.
“As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, my mission is two-fold: we should be quickly fixing our roads for the safety of drivers statewide, but we should also help New Yorkers shoulder the costs of an unexpected incident on a state road,” Cooney said.
“It’s time to fix our roads, keep money in the pockets of New Yorkers, and create safer driving experience for drivers here in Monroe County and across New York,” he added.
How you can report potholes in New York
If you spot a gnarly pothole in your neighborhood or along a state highway, you can currently report it by calling 1-800-POTHOLE.
Cooney also wants to make an addition to that system — a new online mapping tool created by the state Department of Transportation. He says it would “bring New York up to speed with other states, create a more seamless process for reporting potholes, and provide direct updates to users when the reported pothole has been fixed.”
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New bill aims to hold New York State liable for pothole damage year-round
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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