Drivers used to follow simple 'two-second rule' to avoid pothole damage

28 April 2024 , 13:47

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Potholes can cause huge amounts of damage to cars (Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)

Potholes are the bane of any driver's life - but there's one rule to stick by that helps avoid damage.

The "two-second" rule can help avoid any hazards caused by potholes, and it comes after the RAC reported that it attended nearly 30,000 pothole-related breakdowns in 2023, a rise of 33 per cent compared to 2022.

It's believed that there are over a million potholes on UK roads as reported by Birmingham Live, and with it being one of the leading causes of breakdowns, it's important to know how to give yourself a good chance of dodging them safely. While they're sometimes unavoidable, car insurance experts at Howden Insurance have advised what you can do when faced with an incoming pothole.

The experts recommend maintaining a two-second distance between you and the car in front in what can be a "game-changer". This is also favoured by driving instructors, and by keeping the gap, it gives you a chance to react in time if the car in front hits a pothole. You will then have enough time to slow down and avoid hitting it yourself and seeing what's ahead.

Another important piece of advice was to have "extra caution on unmarked roads", those which don't show speed limit sights. Usually, these roads are set at 60mph, but the experts said this could be "disastrous" if you were to hit a pothole at that speed.

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They also urged people to "maintain correct tyre pressure" to minimise potential damage. They said: "Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is crucial if you want to minimise the potential damage that poorly maintained roads can cause. Ensure your tyres aren't overinflated or underinflated to reduce the risk of blowouts, punctures and suspension damage."

If you do end up hitting a dreaded pothole, the advice is to "avoid slamming breaks" as it could potentially cause more damage according to the experts as it will put extra pressure on the tyres and compression on the suspension. Instead, drivers are advised to gradually reduce speed before safely pulling over to check for any damage.

You are also advised to note any driving changes in your vehicle. As a driver, you are fully entitled to claim for any damage that has been caused by a pothole - just note down the road where it happened, as well as the date, time and weather conditions.

Niamh Kirk