Most roads, however, are not in great shape.
Winter weather can be especially tough on roads.
When water seeps into cracks in the road and freezes and expands, it pushes up sections of asphalt and ground. When the ice melts, the sections collapse under the weight of cars and form potholes. How Salt Damages Roads Salt that is used to melt slippery ice and snow also can damage roads. As salt is spread on roads, it mixes with the snow and melts. If a road is not sealed, the salty water seeps underneath.