New research highlights pothole-related vehicle damage
Autoglass has released new research highlighting the extent of pothole-related vehicle damage suffered by UK drivers.
It has found that 41% of drivers have experienced vehicle damage caused by potholes in the past year alone.
Meanwhile, 74% of drivers believe that local road conditions have worsened. Of this number, 41% said the deterioration is significant and 33% said it was slight.
East Midlands reported the highest instances of pothole-related vehicle damage, with 54% of drivers affected. This was closely followed by the South East (52%) and North East.
Potholes can damage tyres and wheels, cause suspension problems and steering issues and also damage bodywork. The impact of potholes also extends to vehicle windscreens, with the sudden vibrations of driving over a pothole causing existing chips to spread and develop into cracks.
Scale of damage
Ed Colley, head of brand and marketing, Autoglass, said: “Potholes have long been a source of frustration for drivers, but our findings show the sheer scale of the damage they are causing to vehicles nationwide. This isn’t simply about repair costs but rather a wider conversation about safety. Potholes lead to a higher likelihood of dangerous manoeuvres on the road which can contribute to potentially fatal accidents.
“Another, often overlooked, safety risk from potholes is their potential impact on ADAS systems. An incorrectly operating ADAS system after a pothole impact can result in inaccurate information being fed to the driver. This is especially dangerous as the driver may be unaware they are relying on a system which is not operating as intended.
“We hope the government’s £7.3bn funding will provide councils with much-needed resources to fix road infrastructure and potholes, thereby ensuring the security and safety of roads for UK drivers.”
