William Eichler 24 May 2023

‘Year of the Pothole’ declared as breakdowns up 29%

‘Year of the Pothole’ declared as breakdowns up 29% image
Image: O de R / Shutterstock.com.

The AA has called on drivers to make 2023 the ‘Year of the Pothole’ by reporting every blemish they find on the road network as the latest figures show an increase in breakdowns.

Published by the AA, the data show that the number of pothole-related breakdowns has continued to rise with a 29% increase in the number of call outs in April compared to the same month last year.

The AA attended more than 52,000 pothole related breakdowns in April 2023, with on average 1,735 drivers a day reporting damage to their cars.

The first four months of 2023 also saw pothole breakdowns rise by almost a quarter (23%) compared to last year.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, urged drivers to report every pothole they come across.

‘In order to help Government and councils understand the true state of our roads we need the public to report every pothole they see,’ he said.

‘Regardless of their size, depth, the type of road and its position in the lane, we need to make 2023 “The Year of the Pothole” so we can get our roads repaired.’

Data from the RAC published last month also revealed an increase in breakdowns caused by potholes. It showed that in the first quarter of 2023 they were up 39% on the same period a year earlier and were more than double the 4,915 seen in the fourth quarter of 2022.

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