Massive increase in pothole-related breakdowns, RAC reports

Car fleets are warning pothole-related breakdowns could increase next year after the RAC reported a significant rise in call-outs.

Releasing the new figures to coincide with National Pothole Day (Wednesday 15 January), the RAC says breakdowns jumped by almost a fifth (17%) in the last three months of 2024 compared to the previous quarter.

Between October and December, RAC patrols helped 4,709 drivers with damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or deformed wheels, with the breakdowns most likely caused by wear and tear due to damaged road surfaces.

In the last quarter, there were 669 more calls than the 4,040 recorded in the third quarter of 2024.

In the same winter period, nearly four in 10 breakdowns (39%) visited by the RAC were the result of flat tyres. This was the highest proportion of breakdowns caused by punctures for any quarter during 2024.

Figures from garages analyzed by the RAC show that repairs cost an average of £460 for anything more serious than a puncture.

This is about 43% more than the average cost dent compensation claims paid by councils to drivers in 2023 at £260 per claim, according to FOI figures

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “The poor condition of Britain’s roads is undoubtedly the biggest concern for drivers, but despite the mild weather, our figures show that in the last quarter of 2024 the problem was far from resolved – our patrols arrived more fossa fractures compared to three months earlier.

“Following this month’s explosion of snow and ice, we could see a continuation of the unwanted trend in 2025 as excess water freezes and expands in road cracks.

“To prevent future water damage to roads, we are calling on local road authorities to resurface those roads that are in the worst condition and resurface other roads to stop them from deteriorating further.”

The In December, the government announced £1.6 billion to improve road safetywhich is enough to fix the equivalent of more than seven million additional potholes in 2025/26.

Simpson continued: “Hopefully the government funding announced before Christmas will go a long way towards literally filling the cracks, giving road users smoother and safer surfaces.

“The £1.6bn allocated for pothole repairs is the largest single sum ever given to a road maintenance council in England.

“What is particularly positive is that it comes with guidance on how to use money wisely by carrying out preventative maintenance which we hope will stop more potholes from appearing in the future.”

Roads Minister tests ‘Pothole Pro’ ahead of National Pothole Day

Incoming Roads Secretary Lillian Greenwood is marking National Pothole Day by visiting a JCB factory near Derby to see the technology helping councils tackle potholes.

Derbyshire has been named by the RAC as England’s worst area for potholes.

At the JCB Power Systems plant, the Roads Minister will drive JCB’s ‘Pothole Pro’, a machine that can fix a pothole in eight minutes, costs around £30 and is currently in use in 20 local authorities.

Greenwood said: “The JCB ‘Pothole Pro’ is one of many great examples of using new technology to repair potholes faster and demonstrates how companies are using new technology to repair potholes faster.

“We will continue to work with local leaders and industry to ensure that innovation is used to build the roads the country deserves.”

Important drivers check their tires regularly

Peter Simson, director of Tyron Runflat, said: “For too long we have seen our roads covered in dangerous potholes, creating dangerous road conditions for all road users.

“The £1.6bn investment proposed by the government to tackle the country’s pothole problem is a step in the right direction, but we fear it could be too little too late.”

He continued: “I have spent most of my career working in the wheel industry and I have seen and experienced first-hand the dangers of potholes.

“Although people first assume that the main problem is the tire, it is also the wheel, and in particular, the alloy wheels.

“Impact damage may be visible at the time, but wheels are susceptible to fatigue cracks that increase over time, sometimes mistaken for slow punctures, and can lead to failure later.

“It is vital not to ignore the constant challenges and dangers of potholes. As the cost to consumers and insurance companies continues to rise, we believe it is time to take serious steps forward to repair our roads and keep road users safe.”

Charity TyreSafe is joining Tyron Runflat’s mission to raise awareness of the dangers of potholes.

TyreSafe chairman Stuart Lovatt said: “Potholes are more than just an inconvenience – they are a serious safety threat to road users and a significant contributor to tire and vehicle damage.

“Raising awareness of these dangers is essential, particularly as recent statistics show the true cost of pothole incidents, both financially and in terms of road safety.

“It is important that road users remain vigilant. Regular tire checks and proper maintenance after hitting a pothole can help reduce some of the risks associated with tire or wheel damage.”

Nextbase launches new tool for DVR users to report potholes

DVR users across the UK can now easily submit evidence of the 1 million potholes on UK roads to their local councils.

British DVR firm Nextbase chose National Pothole Day (January 15) to launch. new online catalog so that drivers can easily submit dash cams or other evidence of potholes to their local council.

The directory follows the successful National Dash Cam Safety Portal, which allows users to directly upload footage of dangerous drivers to local police and has garnered more than 150,000 submissions in its five years of operation.

Nextbase Head of Road Safety Bryn Brooker said: “Our dashcam users already record this data every day and are keen to help make the roads safer, so we’re making it easy for them to use this data effectively. .

“We are also working on using dash cam technology to report directly and automatically to city councils to help put potholes in the past.

“Just as our national dashcam safety portal has helped police tackle dangerous driving, this new guide will help local authorities better focus their efforts on road maintenance and make the most of the Government’s £1.6bn funding initiative.”