Call for additional cash to maintain road surfaces

The Automobile Association (AA) Ireland have called for more funding for road maintenance after a new survey revealed that 16 per cent of respondents’ cars, motorbikes or bikes were damaged in the past year because of potholes.

The AA surveyed more than 5,000 motorists and found that tyre damage was the most likely consequence of a poorly maintained road.

Of those who had their car damaged by a pothole, 61 per cent said one or more of their tyres were punctured and just over a third stated that their wheel rim was also damaged.

Just over one-fifth said they damaged the steering alignment and 17 per cent of respondents damaged shock absorbers.

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Almost one-third of respondents who reported such damage were based in Dublin. The counties with the next highest number of respondents claiming pothole damage were Cork, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Galway.

The AA patrol team attended more than 37,500 callouts to tyre-related problems during last year and so far this year.

Anna Cullen from AA said the state of Irish roads is not good enough. She called for more funding to maintain and protect routes.

“Many people are having their vehicles or bikes damaged by a poor road surface on a daily basis,” she said.

“My advice for those who come across a poor surface or potholes is to report it when you can. A well-maintained road will mean all road users are kept safe.”

Drivers can identify pothole damage through several different ways, according to the AA.

Sudden stops

You may feel the front end of your vehicle dipping when you brake, your vehicle rolling or swaying while turning, the rear of the vehicle squatting when accelerating, or an abnormal bounce or slide on rougher, windier roads.

Car owners who experience a loss of directional control when stopping suddenly should also inspect their wheels. If any visible damage is present, such as rusting or dents, this indicates a problem, said Ms Cullen.

“To keep pothole damage to a minimum our patrol team says you should maintain full air pressure in all tyres. Keep your eyes peeled for potholes by leaving plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front,” she advised.

If drivers can’t avoid the pothole, they should slow down as hitting it at speed will increase the chance of damage to tyres, wheels, shocks, struts or springs.

“Hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control. Don’t break when directly over a pothole. This causes the car’s weight to shift to the front of the wheel and can increase damage from the impact,” said Ms Cullen.

She added that drivers should be wary of potholes filled with water as they may be deeper than they appear.