Potholes are naturally occuring speed bumps and free.

It is not because of a shortage of asphalt that potholes exist. It is a shortage of attention and money to fill said potholes.

I’m not a road engineer, but it takes more conditioning of the road around the hole to patch (due to thermal events and traffic speed - especially in the US NE for example). A poorly filled pothole doesn’t remain filled very long if done poorly, but even if done well it may only last until the next winter. This then becomes the financial debate of patch vs replacement of road sections.

When pot holes were regularly filed, workers would pour gas on the tar to make sure they could eat and have a job next week.

Speed bumps save lives, potholes save things to complain about for votes and money at election and budget time.