The IAM is advising drivers to:

• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front so that you can see the road surface before you drive or ride over it

• If you do hit a pothole, check your tyres once you've stopped. Examine the inner as well as the outer tyre wall, which may have been damaged.

• Get the wheel alignment (tracking) checked as well; an impact with a pothole can easily disturb the adjustment, resulting in rapid tyre wear and affecting the car's handling

• Avoid suddenly pulling out to avoid a  pothole – there might be a motorcyclist trying to get past you, or you could enter the path of an oncoming vehicle 

• Potholes can be even more dangerous for cyclists and motorcyclists; give them plenty of room to steer past them. They are entitled to a wobble and would appreciate not having a motorist trying to overtake as they are taking avoiding action

• Potholes tend to reappear in the same place, as previous repairs fail – remember where you've seen one and expect it to be there again

• Be extra vigilant on roads with lots of lorries, and around bus stops.  Extra pressure is put on the road surface wherever heavy vehicles stop, start or turn.

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: 'Anticipation, planning and good forward vision will help you spot that lethal pothole and help avoid unwanted extra bills for new tyres and wheels.'