Potholes – A Major UK Issue

It is probably not surprising, but statistically, there are 6 or 7 potholes per mile, and over a million are currently noted on UK roads. Not only do they cause problems for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, but it is also worrying that we as taxpayers are footing the bill for repair, which is incredibly annoying when many temporary repairs are being done, and the problems persist. Potholes are so called because when the Romans were building roads, many people would steal from the layer of clay to make pots, but even so, it is clear that the Romans had the right idea when building roads, with many ancient routes still being used today.

What Causes a Pothole?

A pothole is caused when surface damage to the road becomes filled with water and then spreads under the tarmac to make more significant depressions and, over a short time, can end up being big enough for car wheels, tyres, and suspensions to be damaged. In the winter, the water freezes, which can expand the damage, and cracks can appear that weaken the road surface even more.

Depending on the size and depth of the potholes, they can cause many issues.  Minor potholes just starting to appear do not cause too many problems, but if left, they will become deeper and broader with the amount of traffic that rolls over them daily. Rural roads and narrow lanes with ditches to the sides often carry more potholes. They are less prioritised than busy main road routes, which is unfortunate as these types of roads usually see the most vehicle damage and make lanes very dangerous to cyclists.

Hazards and Damage

Apart from the hazards of vehicle damage, a pothole can be deadly, especially if running into one causes your car to veer off course. If pedestrians or cyclists are on the side of the road, they can be involved in terrible collisions that can be life-changing, at the least. Scanning the road ahead is vital on all roads, especially those that are particularly littered with potholes. Still, on rural roads without street lighting, they can be very hard to spot in time and with speed, they can send your car off the road very easily, and many drivers have ended up in ditches because of this.  These accidents can be very costly, and insurers have written off many vehicles due to the expense needed to repair them.  This also pushes up everyone’s insurance premiums.

Pothole damage can ruin tyres, and even if the tyre does not appear immediately damaged, it can cause rips in the sidewalls, making the car dangerous to drive and fail an MOT. It could also result in police action if you’re caught with a tyre defect. It is essential to check your tyres regularly, especially if you live in an area particularly poor for pothole damage. In addition to tyres, expensive alloy wheels can be damaged, with some drivers needing new wheels and tyres after hitting a pothole. Wheels and tyres are the apparent issues, but in many cases, running into a pothole can cause suspension and steering issues.

The RAC has done a survey to show that the most dangerous problem of potholes is the loss of control for the driver; this is when pedestrians and cyclists are in the most danger. There was a very high-profile death in October 2023 in Lancashire when a keen cyclist was killed due to a pothole, causing the driver to lose control. According to Cycling UK, over 15% of cyclist accidents result from pothole damage.

Often, a pothole cannot be avoided, especially on a busy road with traffic on each side, but we advise that slow speeds and more space between vehicles can help to avoid such issues. If a cyclist or pedestrian is close by, drivers need to exercise more caution and move away from the pothole if possible.

National Pothole reporting app

The National Pothole reporting app has gained popularity in recent years, www.stantheapp.com. This app not only allows you to identify particularly poor roads in your area but also enables you to report them. By doing so, you’re not just helping yourself, but you’re also contributing to a nationwide overview of the state of UK roads. This collective data could expedite fixing these roads, more so than just reporting to your local council. It’s a small action that can make a big difference, and we all have a part to play in it.

If you are unfortunate enough to come across a pothole and suffer damage to your vehicle, you can likely be compensated for the damage by your local council. You must find a safe space to stop, take photographs of the pothole and its position, and take any pictures of the vehicle damage, plus receipts for repairs with a report from a garage to state the damage caused. Last year alone, over £500,000 was paid out from three councils in just the South East of the UK to drivers with pothole damage. With the current financial position of many councils facing bankruptcy, this money needed to be spent better in the first place.

Avoiding Potholes

There is only one way to try and avoid potholes, and that is to be proactive with your driving, to ensure that you are doing everything safely to move past or around potholes and make sure that the other road users are aware of your actions by indicating when you move out from the roadsides and slowing down – because you never know how deep a pothole is until you are on top of one. Scanning the road ahead is one of the best tools you can have in pothole situations, and noticing cars ahead if they are moving away from the sides of the road. If driving in the dark and on small lanes, slow speeds and full beam where possible with help. Remember, you have the power to protect yourself and others on the road.