Pothole-related breakdowns continue to surge in the UK as the UK’s road conditions worsen.

The AA is warning that 2023 looks set to be the second worst year for road conditions after 2018

New data from the AA shows it attended more than 52,000 pothole related breakdowns in April 2023, a 29% increase compared to the same time last year. On average 1,735 drivers a day had their vehicle damaged due to the nation’s crumbling roads.

The AA is warning that 2023 looks set to be the second worst year for road conditions after 2018. Its figures reveal the first four months of 2023 have seen pothole breakdowns rise by a quarter (23%) compared to last year

With local authorities now in a new financial year, the breakdown recovery specialist is urging drivers and riders to make 2023 ‘The Year of the Pothole’ by reporting every blemish, crack and crater they see, no matter how small, to highlight the declining state of UK roads and challenge councils to repair their infrastructure.

Councils have a responsibility to inspect roads on a regular basis, but they can’t be held responsible for a pothole they didn’t know about. Reporting potholes gives roads authorities a true picture regarding the condition of the road network.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “The pothole pandemic looks set to remain for quite some time, with little hope of a cure on the horizon.

“In order to help government and councils understand the true state of our roads we need the public to report every pothole they see. Regardless of their size, depth, the type of road and its position in the lane, we need to make 2023 ‘The Year of the Pothole’ so we can get our roads repaired.

“Potholes come in all shapes and sizes, each one posing a different type of danger. While the worst are like deep caves, shallower splits that snake across the surface can catch the wheels of cyclists, causing severe damage.

“On safety grounds alone, we need to do all we can to shine a light on the awful condition of UK roads.”