Secret pothole tax adds to annual bill
Drivers are facing what has been labelled a ‘secret pothole tax’ as swerving to avoid potholes adds an extra 70 miles to the average annual mileage.
This figure is based on an annual mileage of 10,000 and at current fuel prices this adds up to more than £110 a year.
It is estimated that drivers encounter up to 20 potholes a mile, with Select Car Leasing working with professors at the University of Reading to calculate how much further motorists are driving each year as a result.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: “Despite increased government funding to tackle the issue, potholes continue to blight UK motorists and many drivers resort to slaloming around road cavities in order to protect their vehicles from damage.
“But it’s alarming to see just how many miles those swerves can add to overall driver journeys over the course of a year and it’s a secret pothole tax that hasn’t been highlighted until now.”
Professor Chandler-Wilde added: “That potential 70-mile figure is perhaps small in the grand scheme of things and over the course of a year, but it means more time spent behind the wheel and more fuel being consumed – neither of which will be welcomed by UK drivers.”
