A new survey by RED Driving School reveals that nearly two thirds (60%) of learner drivers worry about the impact of driving through a pothole while 64% encounter them on test routes.

However, nearly half (44%) wouldn’t consider actually stopping and checking their vehicle after hitting a pothole.

The data shows that 32% would only check once they’d arrived at their destination while 4% would ignore they’ve hit one entirely.

Damage done

Not checking immediately is potentially dangerous as hitting a pothole can damage a tyre, resulting in inflation pressure loss.

This could happen immediately, risking you losing control of your car. Alternatively, the pressure loss could happen over time with potentially lethal consequences.

“Driving through potholes, even slowly, can cause abrasion and deep scoring to the [tyre’s] sidewalls if they are forced against sharp, jagged stones. More severe impacts can cause internal damage to the tyre structure that propagates over time.”

• Brian Porteous, Michelin Technical Manager

However, the survey also reveals serious issues about learners’ tyre pressure knowledge.

For instance, 66% of learners have never performed a check themselves while 26% admit they don’t know how to perform a check in the first place (here’s how!).

Can’t avoid?

Tyre pressure issues aside, even the most observant and knowledgeable of motorists can find themselves unable to avoid a pothole when driving.

To ensure the pothole causes as little damage as possible:

  • Apply the brakes as you approach the pothole – but release them before your wheel hits it; heavy braking applies forward pressure to the suspension and tyres, increasing the risk of damaging your car as you go over the pothole
  • Keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel and keep the car straight so you remain in control of your car as well as avoiding the additional damage caused by entering a pothole at an angle
  • Never swerve away from a pothole as you could veer into the oncoming lane and create a far more dangerous outcome for you and other road users.

Next steps

If you do hit a pothole, Michelin and Kwikfit offer this checklist to assess what you should do next:

Pothole impact

Check the feel of the car, listen and be sensitive to any noticeable changes when driving, particularly if the level of impact was high.

Does the car pull to the left or right – perhaps under braking, if the steering becomes heavy, or if there is any vibration or noise? If changes are apparent, think about which wheel may have been damaged and if it was the inside or outside sidewall. Then as soon as possible find a safe place to pull over and visually check the tyre and wheel rim condition.

Tyre deformation

Think distortion, bulges or significant cuts/scratching to the sidewall.

The experts say do not drive on a tyre which is deformed or that you suspect might be damaged internally, even if it is holding pressure. Best to replace the tyre with a spare or call a recovery service.

A thorough internal and external examination is recommended by a tyre professional with any damage to the wheel rim also inspected. If you get a puncture, then replace with the spare wheel.

During your test

With nearly two thirds of learners claiming there are one or more potholes on their driving test route, what should you do if you drive over one during your actual driving test?

Ian Fido, Head of Training at RED, recommends “finding a safe place to stop as soon as possible after the event, informing the examiner that you need to make a quick vehicle check.”

Ian says you should get out and inspect tyres and wheels for signs of obvious damage and if you believe it is unsafe to continue, tell the examiner and explain your reasons.

“At this point, the examiner will offer advice or either continue or abandon the test depending on their safety call,” explains Ian.

Testing times

Because potholes represent a serious safety issue, it’s perhaps unsurprising there are calls for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to include official guidance in the Highway Code as well as check learner knowledge in tests.

This includes providing instructions on how to navigate potholes and checking if learners know how to set and test tyre pressures. Both sound like smart ideas to us.

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Pothole photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash