AAA says emergency calls for flat tires are up 45 percent from last year in Allegheny and Washington counties.

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Here are some tips from AAA to avoid getting a flat in a pothole:

Beware of water that may be hiding a deep pothole and making it look like a puddle.

Watch for potholes by leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check the surrounding traffic.

If a pothole cannot be avoided, slow down. High speed increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels, shocks, struts and springs.

When driving over a pothole-filled road, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.

Don't brake in a pothole. Brakes cause the car's weight to shift to the front of the wheel, likely increasing the damage.

Provide as much pothole cushion as possible by maintaining full air pressure in tires.