Sub-zero conditions...

Sub-zero conditions are making things difficult for motorists across

the UK тЂ“ but the continued freezing weather means potholes are set to

pose an equal and longer lasting danger.

On Monday (4 January

2010), the AA had its busiest day ever тЂ“ recording 25,000 breakdowns

across the country. It says that there are a third more potholes right

now than is normal тЂ“ and that theyтЂ™re potentially more harmful to your

car as well.

The AAтЂ™s President, Edmund King, said: тЂњPothole

season is usually at the beginning of Spring. WhatтЂ™s different this

year is that the cold snap has come so early, which is leaving roads

crumbling a good month and a half earlier than normal.

тЂњWe are

seeing more trench-like potholes where utility firm have filled in a

surface after working on it, but not particularly well. This creates

larger holes which can cause immense damage, particularly if youтЂ™ve got

low-profile tyres or large alloy wheels.тЂќ

With potholes estimated

to cost motorists ТЈ320 million every year, the IAM (Institute of

Advanced Motorists) has issued advice on how to deal with them.

Pothole advice from the IAM:

* Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front so that you can see the road surface before you drive or ride on it

*

If you do hit a pothole accidentally, make a point of checking your

tyres once youтЂ™ve stopped. Check the inner as well as the outer tyre

wall, which may have been damaged as a result

* Avoid suddenly

pulling out to avoid a hole тЂ“ you might discover that there is a

motorcyclist trying to get past you, or encounter an oncoming vehicle

*

Bikers and cyclists need to look well ahead and change direction early

so they have time to deal with the holes, and so that their movements

donтЂ™t cause surprise to other road users

* Potholes tend to

reappear in the same place again and again as previous repairs fail -

remember where you saw one and expect it to be there again

*

Be extra vigilant on roads with lots of lorries and also around bus

stops. Extra pressure is put on the road surface wherever heavy

vehicles stop, start or turn

тЂњ Always make a point of

reporting a pothole to the local authority as an early repair could

prevent a future accident, although councils are reluctant to carry out

permanent repairs until the winter conditions subside,тЂќ Mr Greig added.

Have

you been plagued by potholes? Do you despair over the state of repairs?

Give us your verdict on the state of BritainтЂ™s roads by using our

comment boxes below.