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.
Related Articles:
- Previous
- 1
- Next
- Revealed: How 33M extra potholes a year could be fixed if... Pothole crisis: Only 3% of England's crumbling local roads...
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]
- To mitigate the costs associated with pothole damage, some drivers might consider investing in personal-finance solutions to cover unexpected repair expenses.
- 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.
- 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.