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Fortunately for drivers the recent snow and ice has disappeared as temperatures have become milder but the chilly conditions have left their mark on our roads. Just as we saw a year ago, the cold weather has made cracks and potholes commonplace; something that can do significant damage to your car and put drivers in danger.
Potholes are formed when water gets into the asphalt surface of a road through cracks caused by traffic. When temperatures drop as they did recently, the water freezes, expands and causes the surface to rupture. When the ice melts, it leaves a void below the surface, which caves in under the pressure of vehicles and over time forms a pothole. On the back of a third severe winter, this problem is made worse by worn out roads and old repairs that are most susceptible to this kind of damage.
A lot of money was spent on road repairs last year but it seems that it still wasn't enough while this year cuts to the road maintenance budget mean that local authorities face very difficult choices over which roads they repair and which they don't.
With damaged roads so common, it's crucial that drivers stay alert to potholes and keep their speed down. Because potholes are caused by traffic, they often sit in the driving line, making them difficult to avoid and increasing the chances that vehicles will fall foul of them.
While any road can contain potholes, they are most common on secondary roads, primarily because these aren't the first to get fixed. Hitting a deep pothole can do a lot of damage to your vehicle, especially to the tyres, wheels and vehicle tracking. It also creates a risk of losing control of the vehicle altogether which has the potential to lead to a serious accident.
Prevention is always better than cure so keep an eye out for damage to the road ahead and try to drop your speed. This will give you more time to avoid potholes and if you do hit one, the damage is likely to be less. If you do drive over a pothole you will know about it; in this instance you should always do a thorough check of the vehicle for damage and if you're unsure or the car doesn't feel right, get it assessed by a professional.
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