Instead of being lurched forward in your own vehicle, cringing when your car bottoms out after hitting a pothole or being delayed by pothole repair crews, drivers can actually earn cash for pesky potholes.

Michigan drivers can earn up to $370 during the Michigan Department of Transportation Team's fourth annual pothole contest.

The MTT will be giving the cash to drivers who submit pictures or video of the worst teeth-chattering potholes.

One or more regional winners will be selected from across the state. Each winner will receive $370, which is about the average that a Michigan driver pays a year to repair damage to their vehicle from the state's pothole-riddled roads.

MTT is encouraging contestants to let their creative juices flow and create a short video of the potholes.

Upload your video to YouTube and then send that link to videocontest@drivemi.org.

To view past DriveMI videos visit www.drivemi.org.

To submit your photos of giant potholes, upload them to www.drivemi.org.

The public can then vote on their favorite pothole submission. The winners will be announced on April 12.

Good luck and be safe when taking pictures and video of the potholes.

The contest is an ongoing effort to educate policymakers that Michigan's roads are a serious threat to public safety and more money should be allocated to fixing the roads.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's 2010 Transportation budget cuts Michigan's roads and bridge program by 62 percent because of declining tax and gas revenues and the state's ability to match federal dollars.

Michigan residents can voice their concerns about road funding by calling 888-719-3087.