RAC report shows driver concern over potholes
For the first time, a majority of drivers have said the conditions of roads is their top motoring concern, according to the RAC Report on Motoring.
Nearly six in 10 (56%) of drivers said the condition and mantainence of roads was their top concern, up from 49% on 2023 levels.
Frustration with local roads is now 21% ahead of drivers’ second biggest concern, the cost of insuring a vehicle, and 24% ahead of the third biggest issue which is the cost of fuel.
A record, and growing, proportion of drivers are also reporting that local roads they use are in a worse state than the 12 months before.
This year, almost three-quarters (73%) of drivers say the condition of the local roads they use regularly is poorer than a year ago, compared to 67% last year and just 49% in 2019.
Just 6% of drivers said local road surfaces have improved this year compared to last.
More than a quarter of drivers (27%) say their vehicle has suffered damage as a result of potholes in the last 12 months, a figure which rises to 32% among those who live in rural areas.
Separate RAC breakdown data shows that patrols went out to 25,085 pothole-related breakdowns in the 12 months to the end of June. Since the start of 2020, the total number of breakdowns most likely to be caused by potholes stands at a staggering 167,000.
While potholes and other surface defects are cited by almost all drivers (98%) who say conditions have worsened, poor drainage and a lack of adequate run-off in wet weather are also significant issues, noted by 61% of drivers, with 58% noticing faded road markings and 34% poor signage visibility.
The RAC has written to both the new Secretary of State for Transport and Minister for the Future of Roads outlining the gravity of the issue and calling for urgent clarification of the funding councils will receive for road maintenance.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:
“These new figures are a damning condemnation of the commitments made by previous governments to fix Britain’s perpetual pothole plague. It’s as clear as day that councils simply haven’t had the financial support they need to bring the standard of the roads in their care up to a reasonable standard.
“Whatever promises about road maintenance funding that have been made in the past – whether that’s through things like the Pothole Action Fund or so-called ‘Challenge’ funds, where councils were asked to bid for extra cash – haven’t delivered. And it’s all road users, including drivers, bus users, and those on two wheels, who are continuing to pay the price.
“It is absolutely remarkable that, on average, drivers we surveyed are far more concerned about the state of their local roads this year than they are about either the cost of motor insurance – which has been rocketing in recent years.
“The new Government simply must do something differently.”
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