With the recent freezing temperatures degrading the quality of road surfaces in the UK, you may have noticed far more potholes than usual. If you find yourself swerving to avoid potholes, you are not alone as new figures released have revealed the number of drivers involved in accidents caused by the poor condition of roads in England.
The Fuelcard Company has revealed that 14 per cent of drivers in the UK have been involved in a road traffic accident after having to swerve to avoid a pothole.
This is causing problems for insurers dealing with accident claims, and shows no signs of stopping.
According to website potholes.co.uk, potholes play a big part in the estimated £2.8 billion cost to motorists of repairing broken axles and suspension every year. They also claim that road maintenance and repairs in England and Wales are underfunded by £1 billion per year, meaning that on average a road in England is resurfaced only once every 65 years. As a result of this, local authorities are hit with £50 million in compensation claims every year.
Marketing director of The Fuelcard Company, Jakes de Kock, thinks that the government should commit more resources to making our roads safer before the problem worsens.
He said: “We should not have to navigate our way around a cratered landscape of holes and cracks and insurance firms should not have to foot the bill when these potholes cause damage to our vehicles’ suspension or tyres.”
Related Personal Injury News
- Pothole costs UK soldier his life
- Pothole Compensation Claims At Record High
- Weather related compensation claims top £650 million
- Compensation claims totting up after the cold winter
- Department of Regional Development pays millions in compensation