In light of the government’s recent investment of £8.3 billion into repairing the UK’s roads, we dive into the extent of the damage caused by potholes to show how important it is to ensure this issue is tackled successfully.
Why are there so many potholes across the country?
Potholes are exacerbated by a perfect storm of conditions in the UK. The cold and wet climate makes our roads susceptible to this issue, especially after the winter months. From January to March, potholes become more prevalent because the freezing and thawing process triggered by the weather causes cracks in the road to get even worse. So, if you’ve noticed more potholes during the first months of the year, you’re not alone.
Another contributing factor is the high traffic levels we experience here in the UK. This traffic is responsible for increased road wear, creating cracks and damage on the roads where potholes can form. And, due to funding cuts to local councils, these problems have been especially neglected in recent years. For example, in 2023, local authority highway teams were only granted around two-thirds of the funds they needed to undertake necessary road repair work.
Potholes are exacerbated by a perfect storm of conditions in the UK. The cold and wet climate makes our roads susceptible to this issue, especially after the winter months. From January to March, potholes become more prevalent because the freezing and thawing process triggered by the weather causes cracks in the road to get even worse. So, if you’ve noticed more potholes during the first months of the year, you’re not alone.
Another contributing factor is the high traffic levels we experience here in the UK. This traffic is responsible for increased road wear, creating cracks and damage on the roads where potholes can form. And, due to funding cuts to local councils, these problems have been especially neglected in recent years. For example, in 2023, local authority highway teams were only granted around two-thirds of the funds they needed to undertake necessary road repair work.
Can potholes cause damage to vehicles?
So, do potholes damage cars? The short answer is yes! Potholes pose a genuine threat to your vehicle, and the impact can extend far beyond a mere inconvenience. Driving over a pothole, especially at speed, could cause damage to your vehicle in a number of ways:
What exactly can potholes do to your car?
What damage can potholes cause for cyclists and motorcyclists?
It’s not just about what potholes can do to your car. In fact, they pose a much more serious threat to cyclists or motorcyclists. Like cars, the impact of hitting a pothole can cause damage to a bike’s tyres, wheels, spokes, or frame, but the effects can be much scarier too.
You might be shocked to discover that between 2017 and 2021, 118 bike riders were killed or seriously injured because of a defective road surface, and one in five motorcyclists claim to have had an accident or damaged their bike as a result of hitting a pothole. The narrow wheels of bicycles or motorbikes can easily get caught in the same cracks on the road that a car would simply drive over, making them much more susceptible to accidents, damage, or injury.
So, do potholes damage cars? The short answer is yes! Potholes pose a genuine threat to your vehicle, and the impact can extend far beyond a mere inconvenience. Driving over a pothole, especially at speed, could cause damage to your vehicle in a number of ways:
What exactly can potholes do to your car?
- Tyres: Potholes can be responsible for punctures or sidewall damage.
- Wheels: Scrapes, bends or cracks can distort or damage your wheels.
- Suspension: Potholes can damage suspension, and affect your car’s springs, shocks, or struts.
- Alignment: Your vehicle’s alignment can be damaged, which can lead to uneven tyre wear or interfere with your car’s handling.
What damage can potholes cause for cyclists and motorcyclists?
It’s not just about what potholes can do to your car. In fact, they pose a much more serious threat to cyclists or motorcyclists. Like cars, the impact of hitting a pothole can cause damage to a bike’s tyres, wheels, spokes, or frame, but the effects can be much scarier too.
You might be shocked to discover that between 2017 and 2021, 118 bike riders were killed or seriously injured because of a defective road surface, and one in five motorcyclists claim to have had an accident or damaged their bike as a result of hitting a pothole. The narrow wheels of bicycles or motorbikes can easily get caught in the same cracks on the road that a car would simply drive over, making them much more susceptible to accidents, damage, or injury.