50,000 Breakdowns Every Month Are Caused By Potholes…
Recent figures show that roadside recovery companies are attending almost 50,000 breakdowns every day in the UK as a result of damage caused by potholes.
The figures were the highest on record with almost 1,600 breakdowns a day being attended in May.
Potholes have become a significant safety issue for drivers and fleets all over the UK, with the problem worsening in recent years.
They’re caused by water freezing and then expanding into small cracks, causing the road surface to crack and break apart. And they’re also exacerbated by heavy traffic driving through them, adverse weather, and poor maintenance.
Punctures and suspension damage as a result of potholes are more common than you think, particularly when potholes are deeper than you think.
The UK’s Pothole Problem
There’s no doubt that the UK has a bit of an issue with potholes right now.
Of course, for fleet owners and drivers, it doesn’t matter as much where you live, particularly if you’re driving long-haul or across various areas – you’re probably going to encounter your fair share of potholes along the way.
But fixing road surfaces is down to local authorities, which means each local area has a different level of success rate and responsiveness to fixing troublesome potholes.
Experts are now urging the government to take more control from a central government point of view, arguing that the current system places too much of a burden on local authorities that are already keeping a careful eye on budgets.
The reality is that road maintenance budgets for local councils have fallen in the last couple of years, which means that despite there being more potholes than ever, fewer of them are being dealt with.
What's Being Done?
Some experts have criticised the negative cycle of pothole repairs which has seen some local authorities opt for cheaper solutions to fill in potholes, which inevitably deteriorate much quicker. The problem with that option is that the pothole will need to be fixed again in a much shorter period than if it was filled in properly.
But there is a bigger picture here – potholes impact road safety.
With figures indicating a 14% rise in wheel changes since the same period last year, it’s clear there’s a big problem.
And if you’ve ever had to avoid potholes on the road, you’ll know exactly what we mean!
After all, your focus and attention when you’re driving should be on you and the safety of other road users, pedestrians, and those around you. But adding avoiding potholes and a potentially costly trip to the garage (which could put a fleet vehicle out of action for a while) to the mix just creates more potential for issues.
What is the state of your fleet route’s roads? Are potholes a serious issue for you and your drivers? And do you think more could be done to improve road safety through fewer potholes and better road surfaces for drivers? Let us know in the comments below.
