Eighteen million drivers have spotted potholes but failed to report them, new AA research reveals.

Drivers who have reported potholes are outnumbered three to one by those who would if they knew how.

As the law stands, highway authorities must be aware of significant potholes and have taken no action before drivers stand any chance of winning a claim for damage to their vehicles.

A new AA Populus survey of 21,874 AA members suggests that authorities would be hit much harder by pothole reports and compensation claims if drivers reported more.

The survey, conducted between March 15 to 26, reveals that 14 per cent of AA members across the UK have notified local authorities of potholes.

Four times as many drivers aged over 65 say they have reported potholes (19 per cent) than those aged between 18 and 24 (five per cent).

More telling is the 46 per cent of AA members who would report potholes if they had more information about how to do it.

That is largely consistent across sex, age and regional responses, reaching 44 per cent among professionals. Edmund King, the AA’s president, said: “Obviously, it only takes one driver to report a pothole and get it logged with the council.

“But, the gap between those AA members that did report potholes and those that would have if they had found out how is alarming.

“Councils keep an eye on the condition of their roads but driver feedback is essential for identifying sudden deterioration or a problem on more minor roads.”

Mr King said that if more drivers reported potholes there would be more likelihood of action being taken, as highway authorities become liable.

“This under-reporting by 18 million drivers, whether through ignorance or apathy, is a mixed blessing for councils who would otherwise find themselves in an even deeper financial hole from compensation claims.

“The fact is though that many local highway authorities have easy to use telephone or web-based reporting systems and many of these provide useful feedback for drivers wanting to make reports.”

He said that while many drivers may think they are doing the work of the council by finding and reporting potholes, drivers are in fact helping themselves and others should a pothole risk continue and an accident or vehicle damage result.

“Some local roads are pothole riddled obstacle courses which could have fatal consequences for those on two wheels and cause expensive damage for those on four.”

Report it!

Serious potholes should be reported to your local highway authority so that  it can undertake repairs  and prevent further incidents.

The council’s website will give contact details and may even include an online highway defect reporting form or special telephone number.

Local councils are not responsible for main trunk roads, so if the pothole is  on a motorway or strategic A road you will have to contact the Highways Agency.

Visit the latter at www.highways.gov.uk for more details.