California's busted roads cost average driver thousands yearly, report says

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- California's busted roadways are costing the average driver thousands each year, according to a recent report by a transportation research group.

It's a problem across the state - roads in desperate need of repair.

Caltrans says there's a $5.7 billion need for maintenance projects that have no funding.

"The report found that here in the Los Angeles area, 60 percent of the major roads in the region are in poor condition. These are roads that are among the more heavily traveled in the country, and they're worn out pavements," said Rocky Moretti with the National Transportation Research Group (TRIP), referring to a recent report by the organization.

This is something we may have already known, but did you know we are left paying the price, literally?

"The average motorist is spending an additional $2,826 annually in the cost of driving on rough roads," Moretti said.

Breaking down the numbers, drivers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana areas are paying $892 in vehicle repairs, $223 in safety costs and $1,711 in congestion, according to the report.

"I've been to other major cities and it's not so bad. I'm a local and I don't like it, hopeful it improves," said one area resident.

The report also found that drivers spend an average of 80 hours a year stuck in traffic. That is 20 more hours than just two years ago, and it is only getting worse.

The good news - something is being done about it.

"We are investing $1.3 billion to improve the northern segments on I-5 from Ventura, State Route 134 to Kern County and $1.9 billion to improve segments of Santa Ana Freeway between I-5 and the San Gabriel River Valley to I-605 in Orange County," Bowen said.

Caltrans officials say the half-cent sales tax on the November ballot will help, if it is approved.