Drivers issued warning after 50,000 cars were damaged last month
Jeremy Vine caller rages over potholes in her area
AA chiefs have issued a fresh warning to motorists after more than 50,000 cars suffered breakdowns last month for the same reason.
AA patrols attended a staggering 52,541 pothole-related incidents last month, the highest number ever.
The figure was a staggering 12 percent rise compared to October last year while the latest numbers were higher than the previous record back in 2017.
Overall, more than half a million drivers have suffered pothole-related breakdowns in 2023 at an average of 1,591 per day.
Tony Rich, AA public relations manager warned motorists should take a series of simple precautions to avoid being caught out.
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He explained: “Continuous poor weather and storms such as Babet, Cairan and Debi are having a two-fold effect on driving conditions. What feels like relentless rainwater is covering and increasing the severity of potholes while holding back essential road repairs by rightly diverting road maintenance crews to tackle fallen trees and flooded areas.
“The £8.3billion Road Maintenance Fund will offer some respite for drivers, but with the first instalment not being made until April 2024, the funding can’t come soon enough.
“We are also pleased that councils will be encouraged to use the money to resurface streets rather than patch and run. Ensuring the structural integrity of the roads is key to road safety.
“Until then, our advice to drivers and those on two wheels is to avoid puddles where safe to do so, but if there is no alternative other than to travel through, then reduce your speed and keep an increased distance from the vehicle in front.”
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A recent AA survey of 11,678 drivers showed that 96 percent supported calls for increased investment in road repairs.
The Government appears to have listened with Rishi Sunak recently announcing a new roads funding package to improve journeys.
A massive £8.3billion pay packet will resurface over 5,000 miles of road using redirected HS2 cash.
Local authorities will receive £150million this financial year, followed by a further £150million for 2024/2025.
According to the Department for Transport, the rest of the cash will drip feed in until the end of 2034.
Authorities in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber will benefit most with £3.3billion worth of funding.
On making the announcement, Mr Sunak said: “Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in expensive vehicle repairs, helping motorists keep more of the cash in their pocket.
“This unprecedented £8.3billion investment will pave the road for better and safer journeys for millions of people across the country and put an end to the blight of nuisance potholes.”
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