Survey suggests 11 million vehicles sustain pothole damage
A new survey suggests that over 11 million motorists in the UK have suffered pothole damage to their vehicles.
MoneySuperMarket found that 26% of more than 1,300 drivers questioned said their cars had been damaged by potholes. That equates to over 11 million motorists. Further research revealed that online searches for ‘pothole damage’ have risen 187% in the last year.
The study also found that 43% of drivers said they have swerved or braked sharply to avoid a pothole or a speed bump, and 31% said they have driven on the wrong side of the road to avoid one.
Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “A hard hit on a speed bump or pothole can lead to issues such as buckled wheels, punctured tyres or a damaged suspension, with the cost for these repairs quickly adding up.
“However, what’s worrying is the drastic measures some drivers have used to avoid these hazards that may put other drivers and themselves at risk. Swerving suddenly, braking sharply or driving onto the wrong side of the road can have potentially far more severe consequences, especially in poor visibility or heavy traffic.
“The safest approach when driving on the roads is to maintain a suitable speed and distance from the car in front so you can spot any potential hazards early on. Then, go over speed bumps slowly and straight on. If you can’t avoid a pothole safely, it’s generally best to slow down and drive over it rather than swerve.”
