Drivers warned to avoid puddles after record number of pothole breakdowns

27 November 2023 , 00:00

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The cost of repairing potholes is estimated at £14billion (Image: Getty Images)

DRIVERS are being advised to "avoid puddles" after a record month of pothole-related breakdowns.

The AA issued the guidance as it revealed it received 52,541 callouts in October for vehicles damaged by road defects. That is the most for any October on record.

The total is a 12% increase compared with the same month last year, and is slightly ahead of the previous October high of 52,152 set in 2017. The AA's number of callsouts for pothole-related breakdowns for the year so far stands at nearly 511,000. This represents a daily average of more than 1,500.

Common vehicle problems caused by potholes include punctures, distorted wheels, damaged shock absorbers and broken suspension springs. Potholes are often formed when water enters cracks in the road surface, then freezes and expands.

Garage repair data analysed by the RAC shows drivers are paying an average of £440 if their car needs fixing after hitting a pothole for any damage more serious than a puncture. The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at £14 billion.

Drivers warned running out of fuel could result in £100 fine and points

Earlier this month Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to tackle "the scourge of potholes" with an extra £8.3 billion of funding for local roads maintenance in England using money saved by scrapping HS2 north of Birmingham.

Tony Rich, AA public relations manager, said: "Continuous poor weather and storms such as Babet, Ciaran and Debi are having a two-fold effect on driving conditions.”

Adam Aspinall