Pothole formation and tips to safeguard your vehicle from harm
Driving in Victoria can come with its fair share of challenges, and one of the most common hazards on the road is potholes. These inconveniences not only cause damage to vehicles but can also lead to accidents. Here's a guide on how to safely navigate potholes and what you can do if you encounter one.
When approaching an unavoidable pothole, it's crucial to maintain a firm control of the steering wheel, keep your wheels straight, slow down, and release your brakes before impact. Reducing speed lessens the impact force on your vehicle's tires, suspension, and undercarriage, helping prevent damage to parts like stabilizer bar links, exhaust pipes, tires, and wheels.
It's always best to try to avoid potholes if it is safe to do so. Steer around potholes without swerving suddenly or into other lanes. Maintaining a good distance from the pothole (about a meter when possible) reduces risk.
If you must drive over a pothole, approach it carefully and avoid braking directly on it. Slowing before the impact and keeping a steady grip on the steering wheel helps maintain control.
After hitting a pothole, check your vehicle for potential damage. Pay attention to unusual noises, vibrations, or changes in handling that could indicate problems with tires, wheels, suspension arms, stabilizer links, or the exhaust system.
Regular vehicle maintenance is key in detecting and repairing any pothole-related damage early. This reduces the risk of more costly or dangerous failures later.
RACV is urging Victorians to participate in the My Melbourne Road survey in 2025 to identify and prioritize the most dangerous intersections in Melbourne for government attention. If you hit a pothole and are concerned about a mechanical or tyre issue, pull over to a safe place and contact RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance on 13 11 11.
In 2024, RACV's My Country Road survey showed that potholes and poor road conditions are the biggest safety issue on regional roads across the state. The demand for material from quarries is expected to increase from 63.7 million tonnes in 2020-2021 to 79.5 million tonnes by 2030, due to the increase in potholes around the state.
Victoria is exploring the use of recycled materials such as fabric, glass, and construction demolition waste to supplement quarry materials. Parks Victoria and the Department of Land, Water and Planning manage the non-arterial state roads, while privately owned roads like the CityLink freeway are the responsibility of the controlling corporation.
VicRoads is responsible for potholes on arterial roads and freeways, while local councils are responsible for non-arterial roads within their municipalities. If you see a pothole, reporting it to the relevant authority is the best way to get it fixed.
In cold regions, the freezing and expansion of water in the asphalt can result in potholes, as can heavy vehicle traffic traveling over roads not designed for their weight class. Always be mindful of other drivers on the road to make safe decisions when encountering a pothole, especially on multi-lane roads.
When water seeps into cracks in the road's surface, it causes the surface to weaken and split, leading to the formation of potholes. This is particularly common after heavy rain. Drive to conditions, especially at night and on rough roads, to increase the amount of time you'll have to see and safely avoid a pothole.
Even small potholes can cause wear and tear to a vehicle's suspension and steering, which can be costly. Carrying a roadworthy spare tyre that's properly inflated means you have a contingency plan if a pothole causes tyre issues.
Hot mix asphalt is more durable but can only be applied when the ground is dry, while cold mix asphalt is a quicker solution but wears down faster. Large potholes have the potential to cause severe damage to a vehicle's tyres, wheels, suspension, exhaust, and vehicle body, and in some cases, can even lead to drivers losing control of their vehicle.
Applying the brakes at the time of hitting a pothole can cause more damage. Instead, slow down before the pothole and release the brakes before impact. By following these tips, you can reduce the chance of damage or accidents when encountering potholes on the road.
Maintaining a good 'lifestyle' includes taking proper care of your vehicle to avoid unexpected damages from potholes. Regular 'car-maintenance' will help you spot any potential issues resulting from hitting potholes, reducing the risk of more costly or dangerous failures later.
When participating in surveys like RACV's My Melbourne Road or My Country Road, you can show support for improvements in road conditions, which in turn might minimize the occurrence of potholes in the 'home-and-garden' we call our roads.
