See also: Report A Road Defect (Potholes etc) Nationwide
 

The Common or Garden Pothole
By Jim Newman
http://roadsafetysomerset.org.uk/

So why are our roads littered with these monstrosities and what are the council going to do about it?

When water or snow seeps through to the compacted soil beneath the road surface and freezes, some of the soil and grit are pushed out and the surface of the road can be pushed up. As temperatures rise the ice melts and leaves a gap. As vehicles drive over these invisible holes under the surface they put stress on the thin layer of road surface. Eventually this cracks and drops into the gap below, giving the water and snow a bigger area to fill, freeze and thaw, pushing out chunks of road surface which are then washed away. If left untreated it’s a simple case of rinse and repeat as the pothole gets bigger and bigger. The lower temperatures in winter combined with plenty of moisture below the road surface gives rise to the high number of potholes at this time of year and it’s not just the subgrade surface that shows the problem – potholes are liable to occur anywhere that water can get in and freeze (around manhole covers, drains, joints in the road surface). Highways authorities have crews out checking the roads for repair and maintenance but potholes can appear overnight and deteriorate rapidly. The highways crews simply cannot cover every mile of our highways each night.

What do I need to consider changing in my riding as a result of these potholes? Does it really make any difference if I ride over them?
Potholes are simply another hazard to be dealt with by a systematic approach to riding. Anticipating where potholes may be, coupled with early observation allows you to plan an appropriate speed and course so that the pothole doesn’t present you with any problems. In the same way that a nearside junction can be dealt with smoothly as a static hazard without the rider swooping away from it, most potholes can be avoided without the appearance of the rider swerving around the carriageway like a GP warm-up lap.

If your advanced observations drop a little and you do happen across a pothole rather suddenly then avoid heavy braking, particularly over the hole, as this is likely to cause dive on the front forks, exacerbating the bump. Try not to swerve as if you fail to make the swerve and catch the edge of the hole it is likely to make the situation worse. And relax! Relaxed arms will reduce the impact through the body. As for riding over potholes, it’s generally a question of size and position. Many potholes are innocuous and will cause no effect on your riding. However, larger or deeper holes can have a significant effect on the handling of the bike, they can cause damage to steering, wheels and suspension and the jarring effect is less than pleasant for the human body. If avoidance isn’t going to cause you any greater danger then it makes sense to avoid them. If the pothole is full of water and just looks like a regular puddle ask yourself the question ‘how deep is it?’

What are the council doing about the potholes?
Highways authorities use two different patch repair approaches to fixing a pothole but they aren’t without their problems.

During winter months the potholes receive a cold winter mix, which is a temporary fix poured into the hole once it’s been cleared of debris. This temporary mix is relatively weak and often redevelops into a pothole within a short space of time. The more permanent fix is a better combination of materials and is designed to last for years. However, it can only be applied during dry, warm weather and so cannot be applied during the worst of the season.

The Dental Analogy
If you think of potholes as cavities in your teeth, when the weakness appears the bacteria get under the strong outer surface and cause havoc. If you don’t treat the problem the tooth will decay further. A correctly applied filling can help to patch that hole but there will be weaknesses around where that filling meets the tooth and you have to be certain that the filling hasn’t left any little pockets of bacteria underneath it or you’ll be taking it out and starting all over again.

Can I report it?
Absolutely and I would recommend it. An experienced rider may get home and congratulate himself on a well executed ride with no problems caused by potholes but that isn’t to say that they won’t pose a problem for other riders, particularly inexperienced young riders on mopeds with small wheels.

Somerset County Council has a reporting facility on their website.
Simply type pothole into the search term at www.somerset.gov.uk
If the facility isn’t working or you don’t have access to the internet, you can call Somerset Direct on 0845 345 9155

I hit a pothole quite hard. What should I do?
Check tyres for bulges, splitting and pressure. Consider getting a professional to check the steering and suspension for damage. If you notice any problems with the steering while riding then stop and get the bike checked.

A final word on potholes
Potholes are just like any other fixed hazard on the road and need to be considered as part of your riding plan. You mustn’t become fixated on that one hazard at the expense of the other hazards around you; particularly not at this time of year where other environmental conditions (road grip, weather) are also vying for a chunk of your attention.

As with other target fixation issues – ‘where you look is where you go’ so look where you want to go and enjoy your riding.

Jim Newman
Road Safety Coordinator (motorcycling)
Somerset Road Safety Partnership
http://roadsafetysomerset.org.uk/


<Back