Pothole-related breakdowns are on the rise in the UK.
During the final quarter of 2017 breakdowns caused by potholes increased by 11 per cent.
The RAC was called to 2,830 vehicles with faults likely caused by poor quality road surfaces between October and December, compared with 2,547 in the same period in 2016.
It was also reported by the firm that many of these roads were “hanging in the balance.”
The number of potholes in Britain could also rise in spring with cold and wet weather predicted to exacerbate the already poor road conditions.
There is a multitude of issues that can be caused by driving over potholes which include broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers and distorted wheels.
The RAC’s pothole index, based on a 12-month rolling average of breakdown numbers, indicates that road quality has steadily declined over the last year and a half.
Its chief engineer David Bizley believes most drivers will view the figures with concern.
He said: “Potholes are a menace for drivers and indeed for all road users.
“They represent a serious road safety risk and anyone who has driven into one will know it can be a frightening experience, not to say a potentially costly one.
“For those on two wheels it can be genuinely life-threatening.“
Yesterday, it was announced that motorways and major A-roads in England are receiving 52 times more government repair funding per mile than local roads maintained by councils.
It called on the Government to reduce the disparity so councils can tackle the £12 billion repair bill to bring local roads up to scratch, including fixing more potholes.