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Research by the RAC has found that 60% of drivers believe the condition of local roads they use regularly is worse than it was a year ago.
The research, conducted for the 2022 RAC Report on Motoring, also found that 55% of drivers thought the standard of pothole repairs was at best 'poor', and only 4% of drivers though that the condition of roads in their area had improved during the past year - down from 6% 12 months ago.
As for motorways and dual carriageways, 38% of drivers believe the condition of these has deteriorated.
The vast majority of drivers say surface quality is the main problem with their local roads, with 86% saying they have to steer to avoid potholes on several occasions.
However, other complaints include faded road markings (named by 63% of respondents), worsening signage visibility (42%), roadside litter (35%), and a lack of grass and foliage maintenance (30%).
The RAC said its Pothole Index, based on breakdown data, now stood at 1.6, up from 1.48 at the end of September 2021, meaning drivers are 1.6 times more likely to have a pothole-related breakdown than they were in 2006, the starting point for the index's data.
Although overall, drivers surveyed were most likely to name the cost of fuel of their top motoring complaint, with 55% saying this, 45% opted for poor road condition and maintenance.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: "Given the sharp rise in concern about fuel prices this year, the fact local road maintenance remains such a prominent issue is a reflection of just how deep-seated this problem has become.
"Sadly, neither drivers' feelings or the RAC Pothole Index point to any substantial improvement in the quality of our local roads. Many describe the repair work - when it's carried out - as being substandard which more than likely means potholes and surface defects will quickly reappear, costing yet more money to fix. This seems to be utter madness and an issue that badly needs addressing if drivers' views are indeed accurate."
Lyes did, however, say it was encouraging that the UK Government planned to introduce new measures designed to penalise utilities and construction companies which leave road surfaces in sub-standard condition after completing street works.
He said: "Firms which fail to meet strict criteria for the quality of their repair work will face more rigorous inspections and, ultimately, severe financial penalties. This perhaps also begs the question about the standard of council road repairs there is an argument that such measures should also be extended to contractors working for on behalf of councils.
"Unfortunately, we do still have a widespread funding shortfall meaning that many councils can't afford to maintain and improve roads as they would like to. The RAC continues to believe the local road network needs some form of ringfenced funding to allow councils to maintain their roads properly and regularly.
"But while drivers support the idea of a proportion of current motoring taxation being ringfenced to fund local road maintenance with 80% saying they would back such a plan, there has been a decline in the percentage who say they would be willing to pay a higher level of fuel duty provided this money was ringfenced for a local pothole fund. Only 28% support such a proposal in 2022, down from 43% in 2021 and 47% the previous year. No doubt the recent increases in the cost of fuel, not to mention the wider economic outlook, have influenced drivers' feelings in this area."
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