Recent research has unveiled that less than half of all local roads in England and Wales are deemed as being in 'good' structural condition and according to the RAC index for 2023, it takes on average 657 days for a pothole to be filled in Stoke- on-Trent.
It's no secret that potholes can damage your vehicle, but fear not automotive experts at Swansway Motor Group have some advice for keeping your car intact.
According to the AIA's most recent survey, only 47% of local roads in England and Wales are structurally 'good', so you're on a risky road more than half the time you are driving. Potholes can harm your car in more ways than a burst tyre. They can also cause damage to wheels, suspension, exhausts, and your car's chassis, potentially leaving you stranded, bored and desperately trying to contact roadside assistance.
Potholes are caused by water inside or on top of roads expanding and contracting in varying temperatures. This is why we see so many of the car crippling craters during winter and spring. Unfortunately, many pothole-filling methods only work in the summer months, and therefore often any 'non-urgent' potholes are placed onto waiting lists and are usually dealt with in warmer conditions.
As much as we'd like to, we can't fill these potholes ourselves. So here are 7 things that Swansway Motor Group suggest you can do instead.
1. Regularly check your tyre pressure.
This tip is one you should be doing regularly for safety reasons, but it also makes a big difference in protecting you from pothole damage. Under or overinflated tyres are at greater risk of damage.
2. Watch out for Puddles!
Unlike Peppa Pig, you need to be careful when driving through puddles. There's every chance a pothole is lurking in the depths ready to strike.
3. Scan the road ahead.
Scanning the road ahead for potholes means you can act early in a safe way for yourself and other road users.
4. Don't swerve.
It's dangerous for you and other drivers.
5. Slow down.
If you do have to go through a pothole, slow down in advance of hitting it. The faster you're travelling the greater the risk of pothole damage.
6. Don't brake once you're in the pothole!
When you're driving over the pothole don't brake. This places stress on the front suspension putting you at greater risk of damage.
7. Get in 10 to 2
Just like we were all told when learning to drive. Place your hands at 10 to 2 on the steering wheel as this means you're less likely to lose control when driving through the pothole.
So, although it looks like there is no end in sight for the UK driver's war on potholes there are some steps we can take to protect our vehicles. It will take an estimated £16.3 billion and 10 years to fix the current state of the UK roads so keep these tips in mind as potholes are here to stay.
If you'd like more advice on potholes or general motoring queries, the Swansway blog is full of top tips for all things automotive.
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