Drivers who swerve to avoid potholes set to be fined due to little-known rule

Motorists who swerve late could be prosecuted for careless driving, it has been warned, as the scourge of potholes continues to plague UK streets.

Drivers have been warned over a little-known law which could leave them being fined for AVOIDING potholes. Motorists who swerve late could be prosecuted for careless driving, it has been warned, as the scourge of potholes continues to plague UK streets.

Greg Wilson, CEO of insurance experts Quotezone, said: "With the cost-of-living crisis pushing insurance premiums up, costly damage to vehicles due to potholes is the last thing drivers need. Pothole-related damage to vehicles is becoming more expensive as parts, paint and repair costs all soar, meaning drivers are having to lose their no-claims bonus to claim for repairs.

"It’s one of the key reasons that car insurance costs are on the rise, a surge in claims is escalating insurance premiums right across the UK." AA president Edmund King said: “We have a vicious circle of pothole formed, damage caused, pothole patched, pothole reappears with more damage caused.

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"What we need are more permanent repairs." Back in November, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed an extra £3.8 billion over the next decade to try and address the "scourge of potholes". Mr Sunak said: “For too long politicians have shied away from taking the right long-term decisions to make life easier for hardworking families – tackling the scourge of potholes being a prime example.

“Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in expensive vehicle repairs, helping motorists keep more of the cash in their pocket. This unprecedented £8.3bn investment will pave the road for better and safer journeys for millions of people across the country and put an end to the blight of nuisance potholes.”

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “We hope local authorities will use the money in the most effective way possible by resurfacing the very worst roads, keeping those in reasonable condition in better states for longer through surface dressing, and filling potholes as permanently as possible wherever necessary.

“This should in time go a considerable way to bringing our roads back to a fit-for-purpose state and saving drivers hundreds of pounds in the process from not having to fork out for frustrating repairs to their vehicles.”