As if escalating fuel prices and tough driving conditions weren't bad enough for drivers, the latest AA poll of more than 21,000 motorists has revealed that approximately one in six drivers have experienced pothole inflicted damage to their cars so far this year.
Aside from the traditionally occurring potholes of our fiercely degraded road surfaces, the recent spell of freezing weather has increased the number of potholes, as well as the severity of them, with many spanning entire lanes.
The most notorious counties for these incidents are Roscommon and Wexford, with 23 percent of residing respondents proclaiming they have had to visit a garage or have requested a call out from the AA's breakdown services. On the contrary, counties Dublin and Waterford proved the least problematic in terms of road surface issues, with a more moderate 12 percent of respective respondents sustaining damage to their cars.
The AA reminds us that "It's important for motorists to slow down when they're forced into a situation where they cannot avoid a pothole", as among the obvious danger aspects surrounding potholes, tyre damage bills will have to be footed by the driver due to most insurers viewing this situation as wear and tear.
Other than buckled wheel rims and punctures, which 55 percent of the afflicted respondents suffered from, the second most common hindrance was damage to vehicles' steering alignment and shock absorbers. In the majority of cases the repairs for pothole related damage total less than €100, but the AA warns us that these costs can easily climb over and above €2,000 in more extreme cases.
Assistance:
If your car has been damaged by hitting a pothole, go to the Ask us Anything page and let us know the full details.