Local authorities face renewed pressure to maintain roads as new RAC figures reveal a 25% rise in pothole-related breakdowns over the summer compared to last year.
Between July and September, RAC patrols attended 5,035 breakdowns caused by potholes – up from 4,040 during the same months in 2024.
Over the 12 months to September 2025, drivers suffered 25,758 pothole-related breakdowns – an 11% rise on 23,147 during the same period a year earlier – costing family car owners up to £590 per incident.
Despite improvements in driver perceptions of road conditions, with 12% saying their local roads are better than last year, three-in-10 vehicles still experience pothole damage.
The RAC and industry bodies are urging councils to invest in preventative maintenance, such as surface dressing, to protect roads and reduce future breakdowns.
