A third of vehicles sustain harm from road depressions – with typical fix costing £164
Around one in three vehicles has suffered damage from road depressions, with repairs typically setting drivers back £164. A survey of 2,000 car owners discovered 32 per cent have experienced mechanical failure after hitting a cavity in the road surface, with tyre punctures (55 per cent), suspension faults (28 per cent) and wheel rim damage (26 per cent) the most common problems encountered. Yet vehicles are not the only casualties – more than one in 20 (six per cent) motorists have sustained bodily harm such as neck strain, spinal discomfort and back problems. Road depressions rank among drivers’ greatest pet peeves, with almost half convinced road surfaces have declined sharply over the past five years. CarSupermarket.com, which funded the study, has intervened to help drivers by filling and restoring road cavities as part of its updated brand image and increased focus on refurbished vehicles. The fresh approach centres on meticulously restoring previously owned cars, bringing them up to exacting standards before a fresh driver takes ownership and values them anew. Chief executive Matt Barrick stated that road cavities remain a persistent headache for motorists, so it comes as no shock they feature among the foremost irritations on British roads – they can result in vehicle damage, raise safety issues and impose unexpected expenses on car owners. The research also indicates that numerous other frustrations stem from driver conduct – greater composure, attentiveness and consideration towards fellow road users can significantly improve safety and reduce stress for all. However, the company was eager to address the core issue for motorists by restoring road cavities and easing some of the worry they experience when using the roads. The investigation also uncovered 47 per cent consider road conditions far inferior to five years prior, with 21 per cent labelling the present situation as extremely bad. To enhance the road network, a quarter maintain tackling this pet hate should be a key focus, though 41 per cent confessed ignorance about how to notify authorities to have one remedied. Highlighting the condition of Britain’s roads, 22 per cent say they dodge at least 11 hollows during an average journey, and 37 per cent have had to veer to avoid a dip. The OnePoll.com research also discovered that aside from road cavities, motorists were incensed by drivers failing to signal (59 per cent), dangerously close following (57 per cent) and mobile phone usage while driving (54 per cent). Additional gripes feature parking spanning two bays (48 per cent) and pedestrians crossing heedlessly (40 per cent). When faced with these annoyances 43 per cent mutter to themselves, yet 24 per cent sound their horn and 17 per cent have gone so far as to curse the culprit. Meanwhile, when travelling as a passenger and the driver commits an offence 41 per cent would endure in silence, although 17 per cent would reprimand them. But 56 per cent feel road users display less goodwill nowadays compared to five years ago. On average, drivers consider themselves superior motorists than fellow road users, marking themselves 7.45 out of 10 and others 5.97. CarSupermarket.com’s Matt Barrick continued that it comes as no shock people perceive roads as having deteriorated – whenever freezing temperatures hit, additional craters seem to materialise overnight. Reporting road damage or cavities is straightforward – one visits their local authority’s website where they can flag damaged road surfaces, or reports it by telephone. Once reported, councils will examine the issue within 10 working days and determine whether to carry out repairs, add it to a longer-term schedule or conclude no action is necessary.