Motorists' fury as potholes on UK roads caused 18,000 breakdowns this year

23 July 2023 , 23:01

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Potholes are causing pain to motorists (Image: Getty Images)

Motorists are sinking into pothole hell with our crumbling and dodgy roads causing 18,250 breakdowns so far this year.

The RAC says its patrols went out to more than 8,100 pothole breakdowns between April and June the highest number in five years.

And since the start of 2023, it has dealt with 18,250 callouts for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels, damage most likely caused by defective roads.

Also RAC figures show that 27,250 breakdowns occurred in the 12 months up to June 30, 2023, where vehicles had been damaged by a pothole. This is a 20% increase on last year.

A freedom of information request shows that councils have paid more than £11million in the last four years to drivers who successfully claimed their vehicles were damaged by potholes.

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Nicholas Lyes, RAC head of roads policy said: “Last winter wasn’t particularly harsh, which demonstrates just how fragile our roads are.”

Dan Warburton