Flood damage to country roads can be costly

Ker-thunk: We’ve all heard it, the dreaded sound of your car inadvertently driving into a pothole, one only spotted last minute with no time to do anything but grimace, mutter a profanity or two and hope the damage isn’t too severe.

Truth be told, across much of Australia, especially on regional and rural roads, potholes seem to be an epidemic, one that’s been spreading for years. But record rain and recent floods have been a significant contributing factor to the development of many more, with around 43,000 potholes repaired following the Victorian October 2022 floods alone.

The issue is so bad that the Grattan Institute’s Potholes and Pitfalls report released in late 2023, urged the Commonwealth to spend an extra $1 billion per year to help local councils maintain roads that have been hampered by recent disasters.

“You don’t need to drive too far on a rural road in Australia to encounter a pothole, soft edge, or other hazard…Our local roads, especially in the bush, are a dangerous disgrace,” the report said.

“Heavy rain is often the biggest contributor to potholes on regional roads, presenting hazards for car drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists,” says RACV Head of Policy, James Williams.

 “When water seeps into cracks in the road’s surface it causes the surface to weaken and split. This process is exacerbated by the pressure of vehicles travelling over the road, eventually leading to chunks of the asphalt coming away entirely – resulting in a pothole,” he says. 

Due to the abundance of potholes, RACV’s My Country Road survey of 4,000 Victorians revealed that they are a leading safety concern on the state’s regional roads (and for good reason).

According to Williams, large potholes have the potential to cause severe damage to your tyres, wheels, suspension, exhaust and/or vehicle body, and in some cases can even lead to drivers losing control of their vehicle.

But even smaller potholes can cause wear and tear to your vehicle's suspension and steering, cause damage to tyres, and low-hanging bumpers or cause other cosmetic damage, which may not impact performance or safety but can be costly to repair.

Prevention is always the best strategy when it comes to potholes says the RACV, they also advise drivers to keep their distance from the vehicle in front (approximately three seconds), but if driving conditions aren’t ideal (rain, fog or darkness) to add an additional second per condition.

“This can provide you with the additional time you need to recognise, react, and respond appropriately to potholes,” says Silvia Morris, Senior Instructor at RACV Drive School. 

But if you do encounter a pothole, Williams says to avoid sudden braking and dangerous swerving into oncoming traffic.

“Keep a firm control of the steering wheel – which can be jolted with impact. Some puddles can be hiding large potholes underneath them, so you should avoid driving over puddles where possible, and never drive through floodwaters.”

Morris also advises to slow down but to release your brakes before impact.

“Applying the brakes at the time you hit the pothole can cause more damage,” she says.

And finally, if you accidentally hit a pothole, it is always important to assess your vehicle for any damage as soon as it is safe to do so.

This means, pulling over to a safe place and checking your vehicle for sagging or bulging tyres, and damage to the vehicle’s body or the rims. In the days following, keep track of any unusual sounds or if your vehicle is vibrating or the steering is pulling to one side as this may be a sign of damage to the vehicle’s suspension.

And don’t forget to always carry a spare and properly inflated tyre just in case.

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