Motorists across the country have been left divided over whether their local council should pay out for car repairs caused by potholes on their road network.
According to the a survey from Quotezone, 92 percent of motorists think that the quality of the roads in their local area is getting worse, with the increasing number of potholes putting their car at risk of being damaged.
As a result, drivers are at an increasingly high risk of breakdowns on the road, with tyres, wheels, steering, and suspension components all at risk of being damaged by hitting potholes too quickly.
Currently, many drivers are unaware that they are able to make a claim for any damage caused by potholes, causing some to call for more measures to make local councils face more responsibility for road damage.
Potholes can damage a vehicle’s tyres, wheels, suspension, and steering components (Image: Getty)
What do you think? Vote below and join the debate in the comments. Can’t see the above poll? Click here to have your say.
Currently, motorists who are forced to get their car repaired due to damage caused by a pothole are able to make a claim to the local authority that looks after the roads. However, in order to do so, the driver must be able to prove that the authority failed to properly maintain the road that the damage took place on.
By raising publicity that drivers can make a claim to their local council, some motorists have argued that authorities could be more inclined to invest more into road repairs, with the Government allocating a record £1.6 billion highway maintenance fund to tackle potholes.
However, other road users have argued that putting more responsibility on the councils to pay for damage would cause residents to pay more in council tax, including those who do not own a car, in order to avoid bankruptcy.
Currently, drivers can make a claim to their local council if they have enough evidence (Image: Getty)
In order to successfully make a claim to their local authority, Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, noted that drivers will need to provide plenty of evidence, such as dashcam footage or accounts from witnesses.
He explained: “When claiming, it’s key to include as much information as possible – you could also provide contact details for anyone who witnessed the incident.
“This will all strengthen your case when it comes to proving the damage was caused solely by the unrepaired pothole and helping you to secure the appropriate compensation.”
