Councils across the nation have different definitions of a pothole is
Can you tell whether it’s an official pothole or not? If the answer’s no you’re not alone, as fewer than one in 10 drivers could. You might think you know what a pothole is, but the chances are you’re wrong.
A study by Allianz reveals that councils across the nation have different definitions of a pothole. Research reveals the difference in width and depth means that while some councils qualify a defect 20mm deep to be a pothole, others require it to be at least 50mm deep before being considered.
Similarly, some councils require a 300mm minimum width to qualify as a pothole, compared to 150mm in other regions. These disparities in requirements have led to confusion about what constitutes a pothole.
Fewer than one in 10 (9%) drivers know the size threshold for a pothole in their local area, while 92% say they’re impacted by potholes daily. Pothole damage costs have risen by 55% over the past five years, according to new data from Allianz.
These average around £4,000 per claim, with inflation and advances in vehicle technology contributing to higher repair costs. Despite the Government’s biggest-ever investment in roads, potholes remain a problem with 79% reporting their car has been damaged by a pothole in the last five years.
Allianz Chief Claims Officer Matt Cox said: “We welcome the Government’s recent initiative to publish clear pothole and maintenance data, to help follow best practice, as well as the biggest ever investment in roads and the ongoing work local authorities are doing to help fix potholes.
“However it’s confusing that pothole definitions differ across England, rather than there being a national standardisation of what constitutes a pothole, which could help make it clearer and easier for road users when reporting them to be fixed.
“Of course, a claim for accidental damage to a vehicle isn’t dependent on definitions of what is or isn’t a pothole.”
Top 5 tips to tackle potholes
Stay on top of your tyres: Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres are more easily damaged by potholes. If your tyres are inflated correctly they’ll absorb impact better. Check your pressure regularly and act quickly if adjustments are needed.
Watch out for water: Avoid driving through puddles wherever possible. They can often hide large potholes that could cause serious damage to your car.
Take it slow: The faster you hit a pothole, the more damage you’ll do. Reduce your speed on pothole-heavy roads to stay safe.
Drive with caution at night: Potholes are much more difficult to spot in the dark, so drive slowly and light up the road ahead as much as possible.
See it, report it: If you get caught out by a pothole, report it to your council. Head to your council’s website to report damaged roads and find out what constitutes a pothole in your area.