Why extra drivers are hitting ‘hidden’ potholes on UK roads | EUROtoday

Drivers confronted a surge in pothole-related incidents initially of the yr as heavy rainfall hid street injury beneath standing water, in line with new information.

Motoring organisation RAC reported a big enhance, with the every day common of pothole reviews from damaged down motorists in February hovering to three-and-a-half occasions the determine for the corresponding month final yr.

This sharp rise was attributed to the “incredible amount of standing water” on roads, which successfully “hid potholes” from view.

Provisional Met Office statistics revealed that England skilled 42 per cent extra rainfall than common between December and February.

This was resulting from a succession of low-pressure techniques monitoring throughout the UK from the Atlantic, bringing persistent moist and windy climate.

The heaviest downpours had been notably concentrated throughout southern and central England.

The RAC stated 6,290 of its members talked about potholes when logging breakdowns final month, in contrast with 1,842 in February 2025.

January noticed 5,106 mentions at a every day common of 165, up from 63 in the identical month final yr.

Common car issues attributable to potholes embody broken shock absorbers, damaged suspension springs and distorted wheels.

RAC head of coverage Simon Williams stated: “In February there was an incredible amount of standing water and puddles on our roads, many of which were hiding potholes which sadly too many drivers fell foul of.

“While this amount of rain is hard for the saturated land to cope with, the RAC suspects that poor drainage may also be to blame, possibly as a result of councils not carrying out as much of these works as they have done in the past.”

Mr Williams described water as “the enemy of the roads” because it enters cracks and – when the temperature drops under 0C – freezes and expands, inflicting potholes.

He continued: “Preventing water from sitting on our local roads is key to their long-term health, so it’s vital more work to improve drainage is carried out.

“Without this, drivers will continue to have to fork out their hard-earned money on fixing their cars.”

RAC figures present a restore invoice for a automotive struggling pothole injury extra severe than a puncture can attain £590.

Tom Hunt, who chairs the Local Government Association’s inclusive progress committee, stated: “Councils are very aware of the recent and persistent rainfall and the impact on local highways.

“Local teams are working hard to fix potholes swiftly.

“However, many factors affect how quickly roads can be fixed, including the weather, safety risks, the type of road and traffic levels, to budget pressures.

“We urge members of the public to continue to report potholes and other road damage.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson stated: “We are providing councils with a record £7.3 billion over the next four years to help them tackle potholes, and it’s now over to them to get on with maintaining and upgrading their roads.

“Our new council rating system charts how well they are delivering for local people, including their long-term fixes rather than just patching up potholes.”