British motorists are paying a heavy price for the nation's deteriorating roads, with new research revealing drivers spent an average of £320 on pothole-related vehicle repairs between 2023 and 2024.
A new survey found that five per cent of motorists paid more than £1,000 to fix damage to tyres, suspension and steering caused by poor road conditions over the past year.
One-quarter of respondents spent up to £200 on repairs, whilst another quarter paid between £300 and £600.
More than a fifth of drivers reported needing repairs at least once annually due to pothole damage, often discovered during routine servicing or MOT checks.
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Motorists could be forced to pay around £1,000 for vehicle repairs when driving over a pothole
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The deteriorating state of Britain's roads is forcing drivers into dangerous manoeuvres to avoid damage.
Three-quarters of motorists admitted to braking sharply to avoid potholes in the past year, according to the IAM RoadSmart survey.
Nearly all drivers surveyed confessed to swerving at the last minute to dodge potholes, which are strewn across roads around the country.
A staggering 99 per cent reported that they frequently drove in the middle of the road to avoid crumbling surfaces.
Labour pledged to invest £1.6billion to fix an additional one million potholes every yearPAThe research also revealed that 94 per cent of motorists admitted to taking their eyes off the road ahead whilst scanning for potholes over the past 12 months, creating additional safety risks on already hazardous roads.
IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director Nicholas Lyes said: "Potholes are not just a costly inconvenience; they pose a danger to motorists and cyclists alike.
"The financial burden on motorists due to pothole damage can be substantial, with many facing unexpected repair bills of hundreds of pounds."
More than half of motorists believe road conditions have worsened over the past year, with the survey revealing widespread concern about the state of Britain's infrastructure.
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Lyes added: "In 2023, there was a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of casualties where defective road surfaces were identified as a contributory factor.
"Addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring the safety of our roads and reducing the economic impact on motorists and businesses alike."
Earlier this year, Government ministers announced a £1.6billion investment to improve road conditions and repair seven million potholes by 2026.
However, research from the Asphalt Industry Alliance revealed that a one-off investment of £16.8billion would be needed simply to bring UK roads up to an adequate standard - more than 10 times the Government's commitment.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has pledged to fill in more potholes across England
PAThe situation appears set to worsen, with the AIA finding that 52 per cent of local roads have less than 15 years of useable life remaining, suggesting the repair backlog will continue growing without substantial intervention.
Last month, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood suggested that offenders could be used to fill in potholes across the UK, as the Government attempts to "toughen" community punishments.
She noted that her department was "considering going further on unpaid work", with proposals including paying a salary into a victims fund.
The Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood said: "I want to see offenders out filling up potholes, cleaning our streets, and I’ll be working with local authorities to make sure we go as far as we can, but I assure him that community punishment, this Government is committed to toughening it up and making sure that it maintains the confidence of the public."
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