William Eichler 13 February 2024

February most dangerous month for ‘pothole prangs’

February most dangerous month for ‘pothole prangs’  image
Image: Lucky Team Studio / Shutterstock.com.

Motorists have been warned that February is the most dangerous month of the year for ‘pothole prangs’ as research reveals a dramatic increase in pothole damage claims this time last year.

Analysis by public sector insurer Zurich Municipal found that last year local authorities saw a 66% increase in pothole-related vehicle damage claims.

It also revealed that claims in the month of February doubled compared to 2022.

Alix Bedford, risk expert, at Zurich UK, commented: ‘Many local roads are already well past their designed lifespan and continuous added pressure coupled with more extreme weather events will eventually mean that patching up potholes will no longer be sufficient.

‘It will get to the point where roads will need to be completely resurfaced. This can be seen as an expensive option, and may cause short term disruption, but investment in the resilience of the roads network will provide longer term relief for road users.’

The South West has seen the biggest increase in pothole-related damage claims over the last year with a 175% increase, closely followed by the West Midlands (154%) and Yorkshire and Humber (74%).

For more on the threat of potholes, check out: Potholes: the drivers’ biggest pain

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Business Support Administrator

Telent
Negotiable
Business Support Administrator Hybrid / Agile working - the successful candidate will work between home and Warwick. Telent is a technology partner England, Warwickshire, Warwick
Recuriter: Telent

Travel Trainer - Special Educational Needs

Essex County Council
£23344.0000 - £25726.0000 per annum
Travel Trainer - Special Educational NeedsPermanent, Full Time£23,344 to £25,726 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of Regeneration

London Borough of Hackney Council
£80,229 - £83,448
The Council is seeking to recruit an experienced Head of Regeneration to join our dynamic Regeneration and Economic Development Service Hackney, London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Project Manager

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£50,574 - £53,607
We want to become a more strategic, efficient and adaptive organisation, to deliver for our communities. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Social Worker - Children's Services

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£44,331 - £53,607
We value our Social Workers. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.