Drivers have new biggest complaint about UK roads with potholes 'overtaken'

James Rodger

17 November 2024 at 11:21 am·2-min read

Road safety is in the spotlight after study highlights declining skid resistance on UK roads and official data also reveals the number of reported collisions when the road environment was a contributory factor. — -Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

Drivers face a new biggest complaint about UK roads with potholes overtaken. Road safety is in the spotlight after study highlights declining skid resistance on UK roads and official data also reveals the number of reported collisions when the road environment was a contributory factor.

Motorists can learn how to control a skid, advises a leading driving experience provider. Dan Jones, Operations Manager at the vehicle track day company DrivingExperience.com, warned skid resistance is becoming as big a problem for motorists as potholes. He explained: "This new data raises serious concerns about road safety, particularly in wet or icy conditions, with weather changes often cited as a contributing factor.

"While we recognise the challenges posed by Government finances, we urge decision-makers to prioritise road safety, regardless of the factors affecting road conditions." He added: "It’s essential for all motorists to know how to regain control in a skid situation.

"At DrivingExperience.com, we offer skid pan experiences, providing a safe environment for drivers to build confidence on low-grip surfaces." The research was carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), and here at DrivingExperience.com, we are leading the call for action to be taken in light of this.

In its report, the TRL states how 2023 saw a "low skid resistance" when considering all of the years in the analysis, which stretches way back to 2002. Meanwhile, other data obtained by DrivingExperience.com from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that there were 572 reported road collisions in 2023, when a poor or defective road surface was a contributory factor, the highest since 2016.

Additional recent DfT data reveals there were 4,458 reported collisions in 2023 on a slippery road (due to weather), plus 655 reported collisions due to a deposit on the road, such as oil, mud, chippings. Typically, skid pan experiences with an experienced instructor include being shown steering and pedal control to help prevent skid slide, plus learning about oversteer, understeer, emergency braking and 180° recovery.

Manchester Evening News
Pensioner returns electric car and loses £7,000 after 'impossible' EV charging situation
A pensioner from Oldham became frustrated after a long debate with the council.
The Telegraph
Petrol drivers told to brace for ‘seismic shift’
The number of petrol cars on Britain’s roads has peaked and will nearly halve over the next decade amid tough electric vehicle (EV) targets and rationing by manufacturers, according to a new report.
Manchester Evening News
Man, 23, killed by his own cousin as Range Rover and Audi raced along main road
Danyal Ul-Haq died after the Range Rover lost control
The Independent
Driver arrested after hitting woman, 61, in a wheelchair and fleeing the scene – as she died on the road
Surveillance footage shows the driver stepping out of his car to inspect the vehicle and then driving away
Evening Standard
Family slam 'cowardly' City trader who killed girl, 12, while drunk behind the wheel after splashing £1500 at bar
Edward Tully was jailed for 12 years after he hit the family car when he jumped a red light while drunk driving
The Independent
Murder arrest after mother knocked off e-bike in hit-and-run
Alana Armstrong, 25, died at the scene in Pleasley
Bournemouth Echo UK
Range Rover flees from the scene of four vehicle crash
THE driver of a grey Range Rover fled from the scene of a four-vehicle crash in Poole.
Robb Report
The 930 HP Kalmar 9×9 Restomod Porsche in Photos
The 930 hp prototype of the Kalmar 9×9, a 911 restomod that pays tribute to the Porsche 959. This prototype restomod references the new Porsche 911 Turbo, with a PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Although the 9×9 is a new addition, Kalmar Automotive already builds around 12 classic Porsche 911 restomods each year.
Evening Standard
Renationalising the railways will fix a 'broken' system and benefit passengers, says rail minister Lord Hendy
First train firms to be brought under Government control due to be announced this week
Robb Report
The Ferrari 330 GT Once Owned by Enzo Ferrari Is Now up for Grabs
The Italian marque's founder used the vehicle as his company car for a couple years.
Bradford Telegraph and Argus
'Pops and bangs' road sign not legal and 'will be removed ASAP'
Signage that has appeared on a Bradford road is not legal, Bradford Council has confirmed.
Sky News
Drunk driver found in bed as police arrest him after fleeing scene of crash
A drunk driver who was spotted "running away" from the scene of a crash asked police if they could "speak tomorrow" as officers found him lying in bed. Karl Coleman was more than twice the legal alcohol limit after hitting a parked car in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on 21 October and has been banned from driving for 20 months. In bodycam footage released by Cambridgeshire Police, Coleman replied "no comment" when asked if he'd had a drink and said he didn't know where his car was.
Business Insider
Hybrids are the latest trick for Chinese automakers seeking higher profits and global expansion
China is the world's largest EV market, but battery-electric pioneers are turning to hybrids in a drive to boost sales abroad and help avoid tariffs.
The Guardian
Chargers are key to the electric vehicle transition
Letters: Stephen Smith says people won’t buy EVs until they can easily access the energy needed to drive them. Raj Parkash thinks every car should be charged using the same mechanism
Evening Standard
Three key London commuter rail companies to be renationalised next year
South Western Railways, C2C and Greater Anglia will be the first to be transferred into public ownership - with Avanti West Coast to follow
The Guardian
How do I get out of a lease for a Renault electric car battery?
Reader says it is unfair she would have to pay £2,000 to buy the battery in her Zoe, or £400 to have it removed
The Telegraph
South Western to be first rail company nationalised under Labour
Labour will take South Western Railway under public control next spring, marking the first step in Sir Keir Starmer’s sweeping plan to reverse 30 years of privatisation.
The Independent
Trains can only get better, says the government – let’s see
Train Talk: One train in 23 was cancelled on South Western Railway’s main line in the latest stats
Manchester Evening News
'Idiot' driver killed beloved grandad in head-on smash - before blaming HIM on social media
Caleb Mansfield-Marr had filmed himself driving with his feet out of the driver's window
Sutton and Croydon Guardian
This south London train line will be the first to be nationalised next year
A London rail firm will be the first to be nationalised by the government next spring, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has revealed.

Latest stories