If you think you’re seeing more potholes on the roads, it’s probably not just your imagination. According to recent estimates there are over 1 million potholes on UK roads. An increasing number of potholes means increasing danger for road users.
This guide will help you understand what causes potholes, how they can put your safety at risk, and how to stay safe on our pothole-laden roads.
What is a pothole, and why does it occur?
Why are they called potholes?
Which are the worst counties for potholes in the UK?
How many breakdowns do potholes cause in the UK?
What damage can potholes do to a car?
How do you avoid driving over potholes?
Minimising damage to your vehicle from potholes
What to do if you think your car’s been damaged
How to report a pothole problem
Making a claim for pothole damage to your vehicle
What is a pothole, and why does it occur?
A pothole is a large hole, crater or indent in the surface of a road, caused by bad weather and traffic wear. Potholes are made when water seeps through cracks in the road. The water collects beneath the surface and softens the road’s base. When that water freezes, it expands and forces the road surface up. When the water dries, it creates a hole underneath the road’s surface that weakens it.
Eventually, the road collapses when traffic drives over it. This creates a pothole, which is made larger as traffic continues to drive over the surface. Roads that are older and in poorer condition are more likely to have potholes. And the UK’s wet and cold climate certainly doesn’t help matters.
Why are they called potholes?
The word ‘pothole’ comes from the time of the Roman Empire. Roman roads were built on top of a heavy layer of clay. Potters who couldn’t afford clay would often steal it from the road, causing deep holes in the surface. And the name ‘pothole’ is also used because these indents or holes in the road surface are often like the shape of a pot or container. However, their shape can vary quite a lot.
Which are the worst counties for potholes in the UK?
The latest figures showed Derbyshire to be the worst county in England for potholes, with more than 90,500 reported, followed by Lancashire (67,400) and Northumberland (51,700). But the figures also show that every county and region of the UK has been significantly impacted by potholes. The RAC Pothole Index, which shows how many people call them out due to a pothole incident, says that drivers are now “1.6 times more likely to break down due to the repeated wear caused by potholes than they were 17 years ago.”
How many breakdowns do potholes cause in the UK?
Due to bad road surfaces, the RAC attended nearly 8,000 breakdowns in the first three months of 2024. This is up by more than 50% compared with the last three months of 2023. It’s a clear sign that the UK is suffering from a pothole epidemic.
What damage can potholes do to a car?
The danger to your car depends on several things, such as the speed you are travelling, the size of the pothole, and the angle at which you hit it. Larger, deeper potholes are likely to cause more damage.
The most common damage includes tyre punctures and blowouts, wheel and suspension damage, exhaust damage, and other underside issues. Hitting a pothole can also affect a car’s steering system, which may cause you to lose control and put you and your passengers’ safety at risk.
How do you avoid driving over potholes?
You can check in advance for any reported potholes across the UK on Fix My Street and on fill that hole. But avoiding potholes completely is not always possible, particularly if you’re driving on unfamiliar roads and/or in darker conditions.
Minimising damage to your vehicle from potholes
To minimise the damage caused by potholes, there are three simple rules you
should follow:
Keep your tyres at the right pressure
Keeping your tyres at the correct pressure gives better protection against pothole impacts and helps minimise the damage. You can usually find the correct tyre pressure for your car either behind the driver’s door, under the fuel cap, or in the owner’s manual.
Drive at a sensible speed
Safe driving is particularly helpful for avoiding potholes. Driving at a sensible speed will give you time to react should you see a pothole. It will also allow you to slow down safely. Driving over a pothole at a slower speed is easier on your tyres and suspension. Also, try to safely avoid driving through puddles, as potholes often lurk beneath them.
Keep a firm grip on your steering wheel
If you have no choice but to drive over a pothole, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to keep in control of the car. Hitting a pothole head-on is usually less damaging than if you hit it at an angle. It’s important not to brake or swerve suddenly. Otherwise, you’ll put yourself, your passengers, and maybe even other road users at risk. Remain as calm as possible and maintain a consistent speed until you are past the pothole.
What to do if you think your car’s been damaged
If you think your car has been damaged after driving over a pothole, pull over safely before inspecting any damage. If needed, Motability Scheme customers can call for RAC Motability Assist, which is included as part of the all-inclusive Scheme lease package. Also, if a tyre is damaged and needs replacing, Kwik Fit will replace it as part of the lease package.
How to report a pothole problem
The RAC has partnered with the website and app ‘Fix My Street’ to make it quick and easy to report any pothole you see. Visit Fix My Street or fill that hole to report a pothole and allow the report to be sent to your local council. It’s also possible to report potholes via Gov.UK.
Making a claim for pothole damage to your vehicle
If your car is damaged by a pothole, it may be possible to claim compensation. This will often depend on whether the pothole has already been reported. To make a claim, you will need to address it to the correct authority as soon after the incident as possible. However, Motability Scheme customers are covered against pothole damage by Direct Line Motability.
Interested in joining the Scheme?
If you receive a qualifying mobility allowance you can use it to lease a car, scooter, powered wheelchair, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) on the Motability Scheme.
The Scheme’s all-inclusive lease package is designed to give you value for money and peace of mind. Because, as well as having a brand-new vehicle of your choice, you also get insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and maintenance included in the price you pay.
Learn how it works
Get a free information pack
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