One Pontiac woman in her 60s went viral after taking matters into her own hands, filling potholes on her street because she was tired of waiting. And while her frustration is valid, MDOT and local agencies do not want Michiganders to follow her lead.

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Michigan News Source reached out to MDOT about the situation and Grand Region Communications Representative John Richard responded, saying, “Well, kudos to Betty for being proactive, but we cannot condone or allow the public to perform surface maintenance or work of any kind on our roadways. It’s not safe for Betty or the motoring public.”

Richard went on to say, “Proper safety gear must be worn and used. Regulation traffic control devices and signage must be properly in place within the work zone, as well as advanced warning signs leading up to the closure. Materials used must meet specifications. Advanced notice is given to first responders, law enforcement, public and media. And there’s coordination with other road agencies for their work zones in the vicinity.”

Richard explained why potholes are not always fixed as fast as Michiganders would like by explaining, “Michigan has been ranked at the bottom of the country for decades when it comes to road and bridge investment per capita. It’s a tough place to maintain roads and bridges…We are a beautiful swampy peninsula that constantly freezes and thaws 7 months every year!”

How are potholes created?

According to MDOT, “Potholes are created when snow and ice melt as part of Michigan’s seasonal freeze-thaw cycles. When moisture seeps into the pavement and freezes, it causes the ground to expand and push the pavement up creating a gap. As temperatures rise, the ground returns to normal level creating a void or gap between the pavement and ground below it. When vehicles drive over the gap, the pavement weakens leading to a pothole.”

Filling potholes without a permit? That’s a no-no.

Here’s the legal problem for any Michigander planning to DIY their own pothole project: unless you have a permit, patching public roads is off-limits. According to the MDOT, unauthorized repairs are not just frowned upon – they could get you fined and land you in legal trouble including getting ticketed for more than $175 or more for impeding traffic.

And if your amateur asphalt artistry causes an accident? You could be held liable. So while you may have fixed a hole, you could have also accidentally bought yourself a lawsuit.

Good intentions, bad outcomes.