potholes

The snow and ice seems to have passed for another year, leaving in its wake seriously damaged roads with potholes everywhere. The councils invariably strapped for funds will probably take 12 months to repair the road surfaces (at £65 per hole apparently). Then the cycle begins all over again!

Unfortunately the motorist is left to negotiate these awful road conditions, with the risk of damage to tyres, suspension and shock absorbers. Wheel alignment and tracking can be put out by the sudden impact of dropping into a pothole. This can lead to an unstable car at higher speeds and uneven tyre wear, shortening the life of a tyre (1.6mm across ¾ of the central tread and all the edges is required for a tyre to meet legal requirements. Don’t forget damage to the wall of the tyre – there should be no cuts, no bulges or swelling where the tyre reinforcement has been damaged by impact).

Motorists watch out. The risk to cyclists and motorcyclists is significantly increased when they suddenly veer left or right to avoid a hole in the road.

Also be aware deep potholes will be hidden by puddles and loose water after a period of rain. What may look like light surface water on the road can hide a nasty hole just waiting to swallow a tyre as you splash into it!