Increase in pothole related breakdowns due to worsening road conditions

Breakdowns attributed to potholes in the last quarter of 2017 rose by 11% compared to 2016 say the RAC, who say that the continued rise is concerning.

The most common of these breakdowns were due to damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and/or distorted wheels, likely due to poor quality road surfaces.

The surface quality of some our roads has already suffered by high rainfall and colder temperatures in recent months, compared with last year.  There is the potential for a further rise in the number of potholes by the spring if the weather is particularly wet or cold over the next few months.

The RAC believes the condition of many roads is “hanging in the balance”. 

Back in 2010 I wrote an article about potholes on this very blog (here's a link: Potholes - The New Speed Bumps).  Having read through it just now it seems to me that, despite the publicised additional government funding (whatever that means), nothing's really changed.

Potholes are a serious road safety risk and anyone who has driven into one will know it is not only a scary experience, but also a costly one.  For those on two wheels it can also be life-threatening.