Why Potholes Are Bad For Your Car
Potholes can cause significant damage to vehicles, particularly if they are large in size and are driven over at high speeds. You’ll often find there is an increase in potholes during the winter period, which is why it’s so important to be wary and avoid them wherever possible. In this article, we’ll discuss the damage potholes can do and what you can to do avoid them.
How are potholes formed?
Potholes are caused by water under the road freezing during cold temperatures, and therefore breaking the road surface. When cars then drive over the damaged road, the surface weakens, leading to damage and eventually forming a pothole.
How to report a pothole
Potholes should be reported if they’re:
Deeper than 20mm (2cm) and wider in diameter than 200mm (20cm) for a footway
Deeper than 40mm (4cm) and wider in diameter than 200mm (20cm) for a carriageway
You can report a pothole on the government website or National Highways if you need to report a pothole on a motorway or an A-road.
You can also claim for pothole related vehicle damage by contacting the organisation responsible for maintaining the road, either against the council, National Highways or your insurance. it's essential that drivers pull together as much evidence as possible before submitting the claim such as photo evidence (if safe to do so) and the exact location of the pothole.
When collecting pothole evidence, always follow the law. Do not measure potholes on motorways or any other dangerous locations where stopping is illegal or unsafe – your personal safety comes first.
Free Pothole Damage Check
If your car has hit a pothole, it's essential to get your vehicle checked as soon as possible. At National Tyres, we offer a Free Pothole Damage Check, where we'll inspect your tyres, wheels, steering and suspension system all in one go. We can provide you with a no obligation quote that can be used against any insurance claims. Make sure your car is is in safe condition after hitting a pothole, be sure to book this free check online as soon as possible.
Book Free Pothole Damage Check
What happens when your car hits a pothole?
Potholes can cause an array of vehicle damage, including the following:
Punctures
Pothole punctures are one of the most common types of damage caused by a pothole. If a vehicle drives over a pothole too quickly, the impact can cause the tyre to crack. This leads to a puncture, and in turn, a new tyre will be needed for the car.
If a puncture is left untreated, the tyre will deflate which could cause a loss of control. This is why it's so important to get your car checked as soon as possible after hitting a pothole.
Tyre bulges
Hitting a pothole at speed can also cause a tyre bulge. A tyre bulge is where the tyre sidewall has been weakened or damaged. This can lead to the tyre popping or deflating, which could make the car un-driveable.
Suspension damage
Potholes can cause your suspension to become misaligned. This means that your suspension is at the wrong angle, so your tyres will also be at the wrong angle, leading to a loss of control over your vehicle. You may notice this if you have uneven tyre wear or your car pulls to one side when driving.
If your car is bouncing whilst driving, then the suspension or shock absorbers may have broken. This can be very dangerous as it could cause you to lose control of the car whilst driving.
Wheel damage
A pothole may bend or crack your wheel. This can lead to the wheel bursting whilst driving, which could result in a loss of control. To check if your wheels are in working condition, you’ll need to clean them and then carefully inspect for any cracks or bends.
If you notice any of the above issues after hitting a pothole, book in for our Free Pothole Damage check as soon as possible.
How can you prevent potholes from damaging your car?
The main way to prevent any damage from being done by potholes is to reduce your speed when driving over them. At a slower speed, you are less likely to cause any damage to your vehicle, and you’ll have more control over the car. A slower driving speed will also help prevent any pothole punctures.
If a pothole is very deep and wide, you may want to avoid it by driving around the pothole. However, only do this if it is safe to do so. Assess the road ahead carefully and be mindful of your surroundings.
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