Potholes pose a serious and growing threat to public safety on our roads. These seemingly innocuous road defects can cause significant damage to vehicles, lead to serious accidents, and even result in fatalities. As our infrastructure continues to age and funding for repairs remains limited, the pothole problem is only getting worse. In the first post from our series for Pothole Awareness Week, we dive into the danger these defects pose to towns everywhere.
Vehicle Damage and Repair Costs
Hitting a pothole can cause immediate and costly damage to a vehicle's tires, wheels, suspension, and alignment. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that potholes cost U.S. drivers $3 billion annually in vehicle repairs. In New York City alone, potholes and road defects cost the city nearly $138 million in settlements for pedestrian injuries and vehicle damage over a six-year period.
Accidents and Injuries
Potholes are a major contributing factor to car accidents each year. The Independent Transport Commission found that pothole-related incidents cause about 1% of all road accidents. For motorcyclists and cyclists, the risks are even higher. A survey by Cycling UK revealed that 31% of its members had been involved in accidents or near misses due to poor road surfaces, including potholes. Hitting a pothole can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, leading to collisions with other cars, cyclists, or pedestrians. The impact of hitting a pothole is estimated to be equivalent to a collision at 35 miles per hour. Injuries can range from whiplash and broken bones to spinal cord injuries and internal bleeding.
Fatalities
In the most tragic cases, potholes have been directly linked to fatalities on the road. In the UK, the Road Angel organization warns that the risk to life from potholes is now severe, with nearly 30,000 people killed or seriously injured on UK roads last year. A problem on US roads as well, the number of pothole-related fatal traffic accidents continue to rise.
Vulnerable Road Users at Risk
Motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians are especially vulnerable to the dangers of potholes. Motorcyclists lack the protection of a car and can easily be thrown off their bike, leading to severe injuries or death. Cyclists face similar risks, with potholes causing them to lose control and crash. Pedestrians are also at risk, as they could get caught in the crossfire of an out-of-control vehicle swerving to avoid a pothole. Even if a pedestrian is not directly hit by a vehicle, they could trip and fall while navigating a poorly maintained sidewalk or road.
Worsening Conditions and Limited Funding
As our roads continue to age and funding for repairs remains limited, the pothole problem is only getting worse. In the UK, local authorities paid out over £32 million in compensation for 5,596 personal injury claims due to potholes between 2017 and 2021. Pothole-related breakdowns hit a five-year high in July 2022, with a nearly 20% increase in callouts compared to the previous year. In the U.S., the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission estimates that the price to maintain the nation's road infrastructure is $185 billion per year over the next 50 years, but the nation is currently spending only $68 billion a year. This funding gap means that potholes will continue to proliferate, putting more drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk.
Conclusion
Potholes are a growing threat to public safety, causing significant vehicle damage, accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. As our infrastructure ages and funding for repairs remains limited, the problem is only getting worse. It's crucial for municipalities to prioritize pothole repair and invest in proactive road maintenance strategies to keep our roads safe for all users. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians must also remain vigilant and exercise caution when navigating roads with potholes. Stay tuned for more content in our ongoing series for vialytics' Pothole Awareness Week.
