Overview: Potholes and Driving: A Costly Combination
The past year has been particularly troublesome for drivers in the UK, as they contend with a record number of potholes on the country’s roads. In March alone, drivers reported almost 1,900 pothole-related incidents every day, according to the AA. This has resulted in a collective bill of £168,300 for new tyres alone. Unfortunately, this marks a significant increase of 10,000 callouts from the same time last year, and wet weather is largely to blame.
AA President’s Statement: Road to Despair?
Edmund King, President of the AA, expressed his concerns about the ongoing pothole crisis, stating that “the current pothole plague firmly puts the UK on the road to despair.” According to King, the only way to alleviate this issue is to repair the roads properly. He also highlighted the significant financial burden that potholes have on families, with the average garage selling tyres for £90 and wheels for £250.
Alarm Survey and Government Response: Investing Billions to Fix Potholes
The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (Alarm) survey conducted last month found a record shortfall in pothole repair budgets of around £1.3 billion among councils in England and Wales, the highest figure in 28 years. To address this issue, the government has invested over £5.5 billion to maintain roads and will be cracking down on utility companies that leave potholes in their wake after street works. As of this month, utility companies will be fined for leaving highways in a poor state.
Potholes in the World: Schwarzenegger and Crazy Golf
Potholes are not just a problem in the UK. In the US, Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a video of himself filling in a giant pothole left by a gas company on Twitter, which received significant attention. Meanwhile, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, a student turned potholes in the high street into a crazy golf course to raise awareness of the issue.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Pothole Problem
Potholes are not just a minor inconvenience for drivers; they are a significant problem that can have long-term effects on both the roads and the wallets of motorists. The increase in pothole-related incidents reported this year is a cause for concern, and it is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue. As the government invests billions into maintaining roads and utility companies are held accountable for their negligence, hopefully, we will see a decrease in the number of potholes on the roads in the near future.
