2024’s Suffolk County Pothole Season is Wreaking Havoc on Your Vehicle’s Advanced Safety Systems – Here’s When You Need Professional Help

Suffolk County drivers are facing an unprecedented challenge this winter season. Claims made due to damage caused by potholes on Suffolk roads more than tripled last year, new data obtained by the RAC has revealed, and experts predict the trend will continue into 2024. But beyond the obvious tire and suspension damage, there’s a hidden danger that many drivers overlook: how pothole impacts affect your vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The Growing Pothole Crisis in Suffolk County

As we enter the winter pothole season I expect Mildenhall, like so many other towns across the county, will be blighted with roads breaking up and craters appearing almost overnight, warns local councillor Andy Neal. Since October 2023, more than 22,000 potholes have been repaired, demonstrating our commitment to improving highway infrastructure in Suffolk, according to Suffolk County Council data.

The county has implemented a preventative ‘find and fix’ programme running from October 2024 through August 2025, but potholes and other defects may occur between these inspections – particularly following freezing conditions when water in the road freezes and expands, cracking the road surface.

How Potholes Damage Your Vehicle’s ADAS Systems

Modern vehicles rely heavily on precisely calibrated sensors and cameras for safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control. A change in tyre size, suspension repairs, windscreen replacement, even just bumping a kerb or hitting a pothole will all require calibration.

Consider that a sensor on the car that is out of alignment by a fraction of an inch or even one degree will be aimed at an area significantly off axis 50 or more feet down the road. It might indicate that your ADAS sensor calibration has drifted after minor bodywork or that your ADAS camera calibration was thrown off by a pothole or collision.

The impact goes beyond minor inconvenience. Failure to calibrate a sensor when necessary can result in faulty information that will cause ADAS to operate improperly or not at all. Failure to perform OEM required recalibrations may cause a vehicle to operate erratically, which may contribute to collisions or other safety issues.

Warning Signs Your ADAS Needs Recalibration

After hitting a pothole, watch for these indicators that your vehicle’s safety systems may need attention:

• A warning light or message on the instrument panel
• False alerts from lane departure systems
• Adaptive cruise control failing to maintain proper following distance
• Automatic emergency braking activating unnecessarily or failing to activate
• Increased steering effort

The Critical Importance of Professional ADAS Calibration

The operation of ADAS is highly dependent on the correct calibration of sensors. The system will function accurately and effectively as long as they are properly calibrated. As a result, calibration is an immensely precise process that requires physical alignment, electronic aiming, and thorough testing to ensure success.

Professional calibration involves two main approaches:

Static Calibration

Static ADAS calibration takes place in a controlled environment while the car is stationary. ADAS static calibration uses special tools in a specially rendered environment to precisely set sensor angles. Additionally, static calibration must occur in a controlled environment. This means an open space with zero obstructions, a level floor, uniform wall and flooring color, consistent and adjustable lighting, and no sunlight.

Dynamic Calibration

Some vehicles just use dynamic calibration, while others add dynamic calibration as an extra step at the end of the calibration process. Dynamic calibration ensures that all sensors and cameras are properly aligned while the vehicle is in motion.

Why Choose Professional ADAS Calibration Services

When Suffolk County’s pothole season damages your vehicle’s alignment, professional ADAS Calibration Suffolk County services become essential. Since 2016, First Class Auto Glass has proudly served Suffolk and Nassau County as a family-owned, community-focused auto glass repair shop. With over 10,000 successful repairs, we deliver expert service and genuine care for every customer.

At First Class Auto Glass NY, we proudly provide top-quality auto glass repair and replacement services across all of Suffolk County and Nassau County, ensuring expert care for your vehicle no matter where you’re located. Their comprehensive services include expert windshield repair, auto glass replacement, and ADAS calibration services, trusted by drivers throughout Suffolk County.

The Cost of Ignoring ADAS Calibration

The financial implications extend beyond immediate repair costs. Properly calibrated ADAS vehicles reduce crashes and injuries, and save lives. After a collision, sensors and cameras can shift, and even a slight deviation can make a catastrophic difference on the road. Research shows that properly functioning ADAS systems can prevent significant percentages of crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Small chips or cracks can often be repaired for $100 to $150, while full windshield replacements may cost $200 to $400 or more, especially for luxury cars with advanced features like rain sensors or ADAS calibration. However, the cost of not addressing these issues can be far greater when safety systems fail during critical moments.

Taking Action After Pothole Damage

If you’ve hit a pothole this winter season in Suffolk County, don’t wait for warning lights to appear. If your vehicle takes damage or needs repairs in an area where ADAS sensors are located, it’s a good idea to at least check the calibration to ensure the system continues working as intended.

From there, our mission was clear: to offer high-quality windshield repairs, replacements, and front camera calibrations with a personal touch that only a local business could provide. We built our company around trust, quality, and a dedication to getting our neighbors back on the road quickly and safely.

As Suffolk County continues to battle its worst pothole season in recent memory, protecting your vehicle’s advanced safety systems isn’t just about avoiding repair costs – it’s about ensuring your family’s safety on increasingly challenging roads. Professional ADAS calibration services provide the precision and expertise needed to restore your vehicle’s safety systems to manufacturer specifications, giving you confidence that your car’s protective features will function properly when you need them most.