RAC patrols helped more than 10,000 drivers who had suffered a pothole-related accident in the first three months of the year, new figures reveal.
Published by the RAC, the new data shows breakdowns caused by potholes were up 39% on the same period a year ago and were more than double the 4,915 seen in the fourth quarter of 2022.
‘The high number of call-outs our patrols have attended in the first three months of the year – and the enormous increase compared to a year ago – is nothing short of scandalous,’ said RAC roads spokesman Simon Williams.
‘Drivers are telling us that the UK’s local roads are in a worse state than ever and it’s hard to disagree looking at some of the craters that litter so many of our carriageways.’
A recent survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) found that highway teams in England and Wales only received around two-thirds of what they needed to stop local roads from further deterioration during the 2022/23 financial year.
The AIA said a record £14bn is now needed for local authorities to tackle the local roads maintenance backlog.
A freedom of information request by the Liberal Democrats also revealed this month that some councils in England were taking over a month on average to fix potholes once they have been reported.
Mr Williams added: ‘It’s not right that drivers who are struggling to make ends meet are having to fork out for new tyres, wheels, suspension springs and shock absorbers simply because our roads have been allowed to fall into such a dire state of repair.’
