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This year saw highest number of pothole-related breakdowns

18 December 2023

In the summer of 2023, the RAC dealt with the highest number of pothole-related breakdowns in any third quarter since it began recording this data in 2006.

The breakdown specialists rescued 5,978 drivers between July to September from damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels, amid other damage.

Worse still, this period was not the worst quarter of the year. January to March 2023 saw the highest number of callouts in any quarter since 2006 (14,827).

This means that drivers are now almost twice as likely to break down on the road due to pothole-related wear and tear.

Importantly, these RAC figures do not include punctures which could be caused either by debris in the road or potholes.  In the period between July and September 2023, RAC patrols responded to 101,000 breakdowns resulting from a punctured tyre (an 8% increase compared with the same period in 2022).

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said, “Our analysis of pothole-related breakdowns is sadly once again showing that the sub-standard state of the country’s local roads is causing a world of pain for drivers, let alone those on two wheels.

“Fortunately, the Government has promised £8.3bn for local highways authorities over a five-year period which should give them the certainty of funding they need to be able to plan longer term road maintenance work. We very much look forward to finding out exactly how the money will be allocated.

“We have long argued that it’s not just a question of filling potholes, it’s about getting the roads in the worst condition resurfaced. Then, it’s vital that more councils start to make greater use of surface treatments which can cost effectively extend the lives of these roads.

“Our analysis of government data shows that many are no longer surface dressing their roads which partly explains why so many are now peppered with potholes. Our message to government is therefore not just to get the potholes fixed, but to get councils using surface dressing again as this helps seal roads which prevents water getting in cracking the asphalt when the temperature drops to freezing.”

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