Quebec potholes could win the 'worst roads in North America' title (again)

You could share your bumpiest rides and score new tires.

​A large, deep pothole on a Montreal street during spring.

A large, deep pothole on a Montreal street during spring.

Editor

Spring in Quebec signals not just the thawing of snow but the emergence of an annual menace: potholes. The season also marks the time of year when the province has the dubious honour of defending its title as the location with the most deteriorated roads in the world.

Quebec remains undefeated in the "Worst Roads in North America" contest by Nokian Tires. The Finnish tire manufacturer is relaunching its bracket-style competition to spotlight perennial pavement problems across the continent and encourage community engagement.

Each week, viewers can engage in online polls on the company's social media platforms, with initial matchups featuring Quebec versus Alberta, British Columbia against Ontario, Oregon facing off with Illinois, and Colorado challenging Massachusetts.

Through April 1, you can snap pictures of the most pothole-ridden roads you spot and upload them to the contest page. You can also vote for the most egregious examples on social media to support the worst submissions and rally for their roads' notoriety.

Participants stand a chance to win a set of Nokian tires, reinforced with a special fibre to make them more resilient on unpredictable roads. The content platform and social media channels also aim to educate drivers on the importance of tire safety in combatting car-crunching conditions by providing practical advice and tips.

Winning the contest might just get you a set of new tires, but the real victory lies in raising awareness about the state of our roads and how to protect their vehicles against severe damage.

  • Sofia Misenheimer
  • Sofia Misenheimer is a former editor of MTL Blog. She has an M.A. in Communication Studies from McGill University. In her spare time, she shares little-known travel gems via #roamunknownco, and can often be found jogging in the Old Port.

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