Weather to blame for roads

Potholes are a common sight on our roads, and while we wait for them to be fixed, the RACV has released a guide on how to avoid them.

Wet weather is the main culprit of causing potholes, so it’s no surprise to see more of them than usual lately after the frequent rains.

Almost 43,000 potholes (and counting) have been repaired following the flooding in October, as all the water settling on our roads seeps into cracks and erodes the asphalt.

The RACV’s My Country Road survey asked 4,000 Victorians what concerns they had about the roads they drive on, with potholes a leading concern on regional roads.

Avoidance is the best way to deal with potholes – some ways suggested by the RACV are keeping distance from vehicles ahead, staying alert, keeping both hands on the wheel, and driving to conditions, such as slowing down while driving at night.

Sometimes, driving over a pothole is unavoidable – but Silvia Morris, Senior Instructor for RACV Drive School, says the damage they can cause shouldn’t be underestimated.

“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,” she said.

“Even small ones can cause wear and tear to your vehicle’s suspension and steering, which can be costly.”

If you accidentally hit a pothole, it’s a good idea to check your car for signs of damage. This includes sagging or bulging tyres, cracked or misshapen rims, and damage to the vehicle’s body.

When approaching an unavoidable pothole, grip your steering wheel firmly, but don’t brake hard – applying the brakes at the time you hit the pothole can cause more damage.

Pay extra attention to how your car drives in the days following as well, keeping an eye out for signs like your steering pulling to one side, your wheel vibrating, or persistent new sounds.

Multiple authorities are responsible for repairing potholes – it’s VicRoads’ job on arterial roads and freeways, while local councils such as Moorabool Shire Council are responsible for the non-arterial roads within their municipalities.

Parks Victoria and the Department of Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) also have a role to play, managing non-arterial state roads. You can find out more about how to report potholes and other road concerns by heading to www.racv.com.au and searching ‘report a problem’.