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Search the Public Notice PortalThe West Midlands has been named the worst region in the UK for pothole-related vehicle damage, with a driving instructor warning that poor road conditions are making it harder for learner drivers to build confidence behind the wheel.
Research by Censuswide found that 33 per cent of motorists in the region reported their vehicle had been damaged by a pothole in the past 12 months, the highest figure anywhere in the country.
The findings have prompted concerns from Walsall-based driving instructor Paul Fisher, owner of Rio Driving School, who says deteriorating road surfaces are creating extra hazards for learner drivers across the region.
Mr Fisher, who teaches pupils in Walsall, Cannock, Stafford, Lichfield and Wolverhampton, said potholes, damaged road surfaces, faded markings and roadworks add further pressure for inexperienced motorists already trying to master the basics of driving.
He said: "Learners already have many things to manage at once, and potholes, damaged surfaces, faded road markings, flooding and frequent roadworks add further hazards and decision-making pressure.
"Although dealing with imperfect roads is an important part of learning to drive safely, badly maintained roads can make early lessons unnecessarily challenging."
According to Mr Fisher, poor road conditions can lead to panic reactions, with learner drivers sometimes braking sharply or swerving suddenly when they spot a pothole too late.
He recalled one lesson where a pupil instinctively moved towards the centre of the road to avoid a pothole without checking for oncoming traffic, forcing him to take control of the vehicle.
"The most common mistakes are braking harshly, swerving without checking mirrors or surrounding traffic, fixating on the pothole instead of looking ahead and approaching it too quickly," he said.
While councils are continuing to invest in road repairs, Mr Fisher believes potholes remain a common issue on many routes used during driving lessons.
He said instructors are increasingly having to adapt lesson plans around poor road conditions, avoiding some routes for less experienced learners while using others as opportunities to teach hazard awareness and safe decision-making.
"Road condition remains something instructors and learners must continually consider when planning routes and making safe driving decisions," he added.
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