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Annual cost of UK pothole damage passes £1billion
Date: 26 March 2019 | Author: Sean Keywood
The annual cost of repairing vehicles in the UK due to pothole damage has reached £1.21 billion, according to garage firm Kwik Fit.
It says more than 11 million drivers damaged their vehicles due to poor road conditions over the past year. The cost represents a 32% increase over the previous year, and a 77% increase since 2016.
While the average cost to individual drivers has reduced slightly since the previous year, from £111 to £108.86, Kwik Fit says the number of motorists affected has increased by 2.9 million. It adds that the total cost is likely to rise even further as 1.4 million drivers are yet to carry out repair work.
Kwik Fit's research found that almost a third of drivers who hit potholes in the last year had their car damaged by the impact. The most common repairs were to tyres (5.9 million), suspension (3.8 million), wheels (3.7 million), steering (1.7 million), bodywork (1.3 million) and the exhaust (1.2 million).
In addition, 17% of motorists estimate they hit more than 30 potholes over the course of just one month - an average of one a day.
The research also found that 51% of people travelling on UK roads believe they are worse now compared to a year ago, while 60% say they are worse than they were five years ago.
Kwik Fit communications director Roger Griggs said: "The cost of damage from potholes is hitting more and more drivers who are continuing to see their cash being spent on issues that are not entirely their fault.
"Fortunately, this winter has not been as harsh as it has been in recent years, however as we know with the Great British weather, conditions which would further damage our road network could still be round the corner.
"It is worth noting that damage isn't always immediately noticeable so motorists should give their car a thorough check when they do hit a pothole.
"Damage can also often be internal so anyone concerned about their car can take it to one of our centres so the staff can put it on the ramp for closer inspection."
