Potholes pain NSW motorists

Wednesday 12 June 2024: New data from the NRMA has revealed rising damage to vehicles across the state from potholes following increased wet weather with nearly 900 additional calls for help each month in April and May due to wheel and tyre damage alone.

NRMA Roadside has seen growing calls for help from motorists stranded due to wheel and tyre damage over the last two months following wet weather with more than 12,000 (12162) calling for roadside assistance in April and May.

Across Greater Sydney, the LGAs which saw the highest average number of additional calls each month in April and May following the onset of wet weather were Blacktown (108), Sydney (105), and the Northern Beaches (78). Outside of greater Sydney, the biggest increases were seen in Wingecarribee (22), Lismore (17), and Wollongong (13).

In addition, the ACT saw more than 1000 callouts (1059) for wheel and tyre damage in the ACT in April and May alone, an average increase of 37 each month.

NRMA Roadside CEO Carolyn Darke said the rise in tyre and wheel related call-outs echoed the sharp increase NRMA roadside saw following the record flooding across NSW in 2022.

“While cars are becoming more reliable, potholes are one issue no car can stand up against and many drivers may not be aware that their vehicle isn’t fitted with a spare tyre until they need it, which is especially the case with newer vehicles and electric vehicles,” Ms Darke said.

“While some of these vehicles carry a ‘puncture repair kit, many drivers would be unfamiliar with how to use this and, especially in wet weather, may not be somewhere they are able to complete the repair safely.

“We also do not want the public trying to change tyres in wet and dangerous conditions on the side of the road, this is the safety element that comes from having NRMA membership – please call us and our patrols will help.”

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said councils required more funding from the NSW and Australian governments to fix damaged roads after heavy rain.

“There is a direct correlation between heavy rain, potholes and the damage caused to cars and so it is vital that local councils get the support they need to get their maintenance crews out fixing the roads as quickly as possible,” Mr Khoury said.

“Regional councils in particular need financial support from Government and the NRMA has advocated throughout the state and federal budget season to secure more funding for this work.

“This funding will ensure local government not only patches roads, but to improve them to reduce the likelihood of potholes forming and they can only do this with appropriate funding from state and federal governments.”

As more rain is forecast, it is important drivers continue to report potholes to their local council as continued rain would only cause further damage to the road network.

12-month totals June 23-May 24

Average monthly increase in callouts in April-May 2024 vs Jan-March monthly average