The number of pothole-related breakdowns attended by RAC patrols
from October to December 2016 gave rise to the first fourth
quarter increase in this type of problem since 2013.
While the overall picture revealed by the RAC Pothole Index is
surprisingly one of improvement, the RAC fears this fourth
quarter increase in the proportion of vehicle breakdowns where
poor road surface quality was likely to be a contributory
factor should be seen as a warning sign that the underlying
condition of the UK’s roads is still very poor.
From October to December 2016 the RAC saw a 24% increase in the
number of potential pothole-related call-outs – such as damaged
shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels
(3,962 in Q4 2015 to 4,903 in Q4 2016) – attended by its patrols
compared to the same period the previous year. The true damage
effect of potholes on vehicles is, however, likely to be greater
as the analysis does not include punctures which, of course,
could be caused by potholes as well as many other common causes.
The analysis, published to coincide with National Pothole Day on 16
January, looks at the number and the percentage share of the
RAC’s pothole-related breakdowns in comparison to all other types
of call-out, and compares these with historic trends in rainfall
and frost data to give a comprehensive understanding of the state
of the country’s roads.
RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “This is a particularly
worrying finding because of course much of the country has not
experienced harsh winter conditions for three years and rainfall
in the fourth quarter of 2016 was the lowest in that period for
more than a decade. Rain can be the catalyst for the formation of
potholes, particularly in the winter when frosts are also common
but despite the low rainfall the number of pothole faults
attended by RAC in Q4 2016 is still higher than in the same
period in the two previous years.
“If the first three months of 2017 prove to be both wet and cold,
potholes are likely to appear at an unprecedented rate which
would inevitably stretch local authority repair resources to
their limit. While urgent remedial repairs will be needed to
reduce the risk of further vehicle damage or injury to road
users, including vulnerable motorcyclists and cyclists, it is
insufficient investment in preventative maintenance, such as
resurfacing, which is ultimately to blame.”
Research for the RAC’s latest Report on Motoring found that the
state and maintenance of local roads was the number-one concern
identified by the 1,755 motorists surveyed, with 14% listing it
as their top concern.
In addition, the report also found that half of motorists (51%)
believe the state of the roads in their area worsened over the
past 12 months, with the preponderance of potholes by far the
main culprit. This compared to just 9% who said their local roads
had in fact improved.
David Bizley added: “This is not really surprising given that the
last analysis published by the Department for Transport’s
suggested that there was a backlog of up to £8.6 billion in local
road maintenance in England, and analysis from the Asphalt
Industry Alliance’s Local Authority Road Maintenance Report
suggesting the one-time catch-up cost may be even greater at
£11.1bn.
RAC Report Pothole app
Knowing the frustration that poor road surfaces cause motorists,
the RAC worked with Street Repairs –
which runs National Pothole Day – to create the RAC Report Pothole
app. This makes the process of taking action to fix road
defects straightforward and effective. The app, which uses the
GPS functionality of mobile phones to locate the pothole,
delivers reports direct to the roads team of the responsible
local authority, or strategic highway authority in the case of
strategic roads and motorways. Photographs can also be uploaded
with reports. Reporting a pothole which is then left unrepaired
by the responsible roads authority should aid subsequent claim
for compensation lodged by a motorist who has suffered damage to
their vehicles as a result of driving over it.
Notes to Editors
* The RAC Pothole Index shows the increase in share of
pothole-related call-outs against all RAC breakdowns since 2006,
corrected to compensate for the constantly improving reliability
of cars.
