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Financial consequences of Britain's pothole predicament disclosed: Common vehicle repair expenses for vehicles damaged by potholes

Damaging a vehicle due to the numerous potholes on British roads comes with a hefty price, as a recent study reveals the expenses incurred for garage repairs to mend vehicles harmed by them.

Expense of Repairing Vehicles Due to Damage from Potholes on British Roads Highlighted in Recent...
Expense of Repairing Vehicles Due to Damage from Potholes on British Roads Highlighted in Recent Study

Financial consequences of Britain's pothole predicament disclosed: Common vehicle repair expenses for vehicles damaged by potholes

Pothole peril on British roads: The pricey nightmare for millions

Dealing with a pothole on the UK's roadways can put a serious dent in your wallet. As per a recent study, the average vehicle repair bill resulting from a pothole encounter clocks in at a hefty £320[1]. But this figure can skyrocket, with some motorists shelling out over £1,000[1] in 2024 to fix the damage. This is quite a hefty bill for an unexpected and avoidable mishap on the roads.

Drivers who encountered a pothole last year were not just unlucky; they were also hit hard in their wallets[1]. Apart from paying for repairs or replacements to damaged tyres, suspension components, and steering parts, as many as 5% shelled out over £1,000[1]. The road safety charity IAM RoadSmart warned that these holes are not only dangerous for drivers and cyclists, but they also pose a substantial financial burden[2].

The RAC estimates that there are over one million holes in the UK's roads, although this number fluctuates based on the season and maintenance schedules[1]. With the increasing number of potholes wreaking havoc on drivers, it's no wonder that the RAC and IAM RoadSmart urge local councils to up their game in addressing this issue[2].

In a poll of nearly 2,000 drivers, 20% admitted to having no choice but to pay repair bills for pothole damage in 2024[1]. The repair costs ranged from up to £200 for a quarter of the respondents, to between £300 and £600 for another quarter[1]. One in five drivers had to fork out crater-related garage bills at least once a year, with many discovering the damage during their annual servicing and MOTs[1].

Apart from the staggering financial implications, the study also revealed that motorists are increasingly taking action to avoid damaging craters. In the past 12 months, 75% have slammed on their brakes to dodge potholes[1]. Almost all drivers (99%) admitted to driving or riding in the middle of the road to avoid them[1]. A staggering 99% confessed to swerving at the last minute to dodge potholes, and over 9 in 10 even admitted to being distracted by searching for potholes up ahead[1].

The poll results showed that 52% of drivers believe the roads have deteriorated over the past 12 months[1]. With the government investing £1.6 billion to address the issue and fix seven million potholes by 2026[3][5], many drivers are hoping for improved road conditions and their wallets will thank them for it.

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Sources:[1] [https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12811515/Pothole-toll-motorists-PS-billion-claims-driving-costly-pits.html][2] [https://www.iamroadsmart.com/media/news/2024-pothole-poll][3] [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-conditions-to-be-improved-by-1bn][4] [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-infrastructure-strategy/national-infrastructure-strategy][5] [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-england-business-plan-2021-to-2022/highways-england-business-plan-2021-to-2022]

  1. To mitigate the costs associated with pothole damage, some drivers might consider investing in personal-finance solutions to cover unexpected repair expenses.
  2. The transportation industry, in partnership with the finance sector, could potentially develop insurance policies specifically designed to cover pothole-related damages, providing a safety net for motorists.
  3. As the government invests in infrastructure to address the pothole issue, greater financing for the transportation industry could have a positive impact on the overall health and safety of the UK's roads.

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