Even the most innocuous looking dip in the road can potentially have serious consequences for you and your car. Knowing how to react when you see a pothole can help you protect your vehicle and reduce the risk of a collision.
Why are potholes dangerous for motorists?
If you hit a pothole, it forces your vehicle's suspension and tyres to absorb the impact. While some of these dips in the road can seem safe to drive over, they can cause unexpected damage.
The severity of this damage depends on factors like your speed, tyre pressure, the angle you hit the pothole at, and the physical depth of the hole. As well as blowing out tyres and cracking alloy wheels, potholes can cause snapped suspension springs and knock wheel alignment out of order.
The danger extends well beyond mechanical repair bills. When drivers spot a crater at the last second, instinct often forces rapid evasive manoeuvres. Research from the RAC Pothole Index reveals that 74% of surveyed motorists admit to braking sharply to avoid dips in the road.
Swerving unexpectedly into oncoming traffic or slamming on the brakes risks collisions with other vehicles as well as cyclists and pedestrians.
If you suffer injuries or vehicle damage from such an incident, knowing your rights and researching how to pursue a car accident claim can help you explore your options.
How serious is the UK's pothole problem?
The deterioration of road networks creates a daily hazard for millions of road users. Back in March, the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) revealed that the cost of fixing all the potholes on local roads in England and Wales would be an estimated £18.6 billion. Additionally, just 51% of the local road network that is maintained by local councils were reported to be in good condition.
All of this came before the five heatwaves that swept across the UK this summer, which warmed roads that were already in poor condition, worsening potholes and causing road surfaces to soften in the sweltering temperatures.
What is being done about potholes in the UK?
Road maintenance responsibility varies significantly across the country, but central government has recently intensified pressure on English local highway authorities.
Under measures introduced in April, the UK Government established tougher accountability requirements for councils in England. Local authorities must now demonstrate effective, long-term road maintenance strategies and transparent expenditure. Councils that fail to meet these standards risk losing up to one-third of their allocation from the annual £1.6 billion funding pool.
How can drivers stay safe around potholes?
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead gives you the space to spot dips and dark patches on the road surface ahead. If an impact becomes unavoidable, hold the steering wheel firmly and brake early, releasing the pedal just before impact to prevent your front suspension from compressing fully.
Pull over in a safe location immediately after a heavy strike to check your tyres for bulges, pressure loss or tracking misalignment. If there’s any damage, take clear photographs and record the precise location using landmark notes or GPS coordinates.
Report the damage directly to the correct highway authority. National Highways manages motorways and major A-roads in England, whereas local councils oversee secondary and residential roads.
