UK motorists are being urged to master a simple visual trick to evade potholes, as new figures reveal the staggering cost of damage caused by the nation's crumbling roads.
The £320 Pothole Problem
According to the RAC, repairs for damage inflicted by potholes cost drivers an average of £320 every single time. For some unlucky motorists, the bill for fixing tyres, suspension, and steering can soar to over £1,000. The issue is compounded by painfully slow repair times from local authorities, with a study by Go.Compare showing it can take up to 209 days for some reported potholes to be filled.
The Steering Wheel Reference Point
Ahead of National Pothole Day, driving instructor Ros from Cheltenham's Drive School of Motoring demonstrated a useful technique in a YouTube video. She explained that drivers can use a specific reference point on their steering wheel to safely navigate around potholes when the road is clear.
"We're gonna cut the steering wheel up into pieces," Ros said. "You're going to want to put the pothole on a certain part of the steering wheel if it's safe to do so."
She instructed viewers to imagine the steering wheel cut in half vertically. The left half should then be mentally divided in half again. The pothole should be aligned with this specific point on the left side of the wheel to guide the car's wheels safely around the hazard.
Safety Must Come First
Ros issued a crucial warning alongside her advice, stressing that the trick should only be used when it is completely safe. "I'm afraid to tell you if there's cars around or other road users around, sometimes you're going to have to go through the pothole so you don't crash into a car," she cautioned.
"Please know that cars and other road users are more important than the pothole. You mustn't go 'right I'm going to use my reference point' irrespective of whether there's a car coming, because you'll crash." Her final tip for unavoidable potholes is to reduce your speed significantly to minimise potential damage to the vehicle.
Potholes typically form when water seeps into cracks in the road surface, freezes, and expands. Drivers are encouraged to report potholes to their local council, though repair times vary wildly from just over a day in some areas to the aforementioned 209 days in others.
