Increased vehicle breakdowns due to potholes reported in first quarter, according to RAC report
Pothole Blues: A Massive Spike in Motorist Woes
Tired of those bumpy rides due to craters in the road? You're not alone. Motorists across the nation are facing a significant increase in pothole-related vehicle breakdowns and hefty repair bills, according to the RAC[3].
Between January and March, the RAC's patrols attended 9,439 callouts in response to stricken vehicles disabled by potholes[3]. This figure represents almost double the number of breakdowns they responded to in the last quarter of 202X (4,709) and is almost 20% more than the same period in 202X (7,904)[3].
Drivers are now shelling out an average of £460 to repair non-puncture damages[3]. Common issues caused by potholes include harm to shock absorbers, broken suspension springs, and distorted wheels[3].
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously expressed concerns about deteriorated roads, stating that they can pose life-threatening risks and result in exorbitant repair costs for families[3]. While acknowledging the Government's increased funding to address the issue, Starmer emphasized that local councils should expedite pothole repairs[3].
The RAC's analysis supports the Government's claim that potholes are still a prevalent issue[3]. The organization commented on the data, saying that drivers have been made to bear the brunt of poor road conditions, which have led to numerous breakdowns[3].
Collapsed road surfaces often originate during the colder and wetter winter months when water freeze-thaws in cracks[3]. Interestingly, the nation's climate forecasters reported that the most recent winter was warmer than average, and rainfall was below average[3]. However, this temperature reprieve could not alleviate the increase in pothole-related breakdowns at the start of this year[3].
The RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, shared his thoughts on the situation: “Our pothole-related breakdown data vividly illustrates the true state of the UK's roads, and it sadly shows the pothole plague is as persistent as ever. Suffering a breakdown because of road wears and tears is highly frustrating, especially considering that the average repair cost for anything other than a puncture is £460[3]."
"The cost of driving is already exorbitant, and having to bear additional costs for road repairs is an unnecessary burden," Williams continued[3]. "Motorists didn't cause these conditions, therefore they shouldn't be the ones footing the bill for repairs. Councils should prioritize permanent pothole repairs followed by preventative measures, such as surface dressing, to eliminate future damage."[3]
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The industry research suggests that the cost of bringing pothole-riddled English and Welsh local roads up to par is estimated to be a record-breaking £16.8 billion[4]. Unfortunately, authorities only have a modest portion of this sum to maintain their road networks[4].
Local roads maintenance funding for England provided by the Government for this fiscal year amounts to nearly £1.6 billion – an increase of £500 million compared to the previous year[4]. This additional funding should reportedly enable around seven million potholes to be repaired[4]. However, a quarter of the uplift is being withheld until councils can furnish proof that they're utilizing the funds wisely[4].
References
- https://www.rac.co.uk/
- https://www.gov.uk/
- RAC (202X). Breakdown data for Q1 202X reveals the pothole plague is as prevalent as ever. https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-topics/motoring-news/breakdown-data-q1-202X-reveals-the-pothole-plague-is-as-prevalent-as-ever/
- Asphalt Industry Alliance (202X). ALARM report 202X: Pothole-plagued local roads need record £16.8billion investment. https://www.asia.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/202X/05/ALARM-Report-202X.pdf
- The insurance industry might see an increase in motorist claims due to the prevalence of pothole-related vehicle breakdowns, as the average repair cost is currently £460.
- The finance sector could potentially invest in infrastructure solutions to address the pothole issue, given the reported record-breaking £16.8 billion needed to bring pothole-riddled local roads up to par.
- The transportation industry might face criticism for the condition of roads, especially as motorists are subjected to the escalating problem of potholes, which have resulted in a significant increase in callouts and repair costs.
- In the future, the average motorist might anticipate spending more on car repairs, as pothole-related breakdowns continue to persist, with potentially more severe damages like harm to suspension and wheels.
- By 2024, the average repair cost for non-puncture damages due to potholes might continue to impact the financial wellbeing of families, particularly as local councils struggle to prioritize and expedite permanent pothole repairs.
