World Pothole Day was recently launched on the 25
th of March, following the success of the UK’s first National Pothole Day, which took place earlier this year in January. The campaign by Street Repairs is dedicated to raising awareness around the safety risks potholes pose to motorists and their vehicles.
Damaged road surfaces account for a third of mechanical issues in the UK, costing British motorists an estimated 2.8 billion each year. Although the British weather is partly to blame for the UK’s large pothole problem, another contributing factor is the lack of funds available to local councils to use to carry out the necessary repairs.
Potholes are formed as a result of moisture making its way into cracks in the road, which then expand as the moisture freezes. As the surface area weakens these cracks become larger over time and eventually form into potholes.
"Oh no! I drove over a pothole earlier!"
Here are some of the signs to look out for if you are concerned that your car has pothole damage:
- Visible dents or rust around the wheels or undercarriage of your vehicle
- Cracked alloys or lumps appearing in sidewall of tyres
- Wheel balance is out or wheels appear to be buckled
- Your car makes a thumping sound when driving over bumps or moves sideways when making a turn
- Leakages on the side or undercarriage of your vehicle
How can I minimise my chances of my car being damaged by a pothole?
Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the car in front of you to avoid having to swerve suddenly to keep clear of potholes. If one is unavoidable, drive over it slowly keeping the steering straight to prevent the car from losing control. Also be sure to check your car’s tyre pressure regularly to reduce the risk of damage.
If you’re concerned that your car may have pothole damage speak to a member of our
servicing team for an expert opinion. You can also report potholes in your local area via the
Street Repairs website.