Pothole reports on Devon's roads up by 75% after wet winter

Reports of potholes on Devon’s roads have risen by more than 75 per cent after a wet winter, with crumbling roads leaving drivers facing the risk of damage to their cars.

A total of 19,201 pothole reports were made to Devon County Council in January and February, compared to 10,756 during the same months in 2025.

There were 10,624 pothole reports made to the local authority in January and 8,577 in February, compared to 5,005 and 5,751 in January and February 2025.

Tyre experts at Protyre Autocare are giving advice to drivers on what to do if they hit a pothole after uncovering the rise in reports via a Freedom of Information request.

Archie Murray, regional technical trainer and tyre safety specialist at Protyre Autocare, said hitting a pothole could damage both the tyre and the wheel of a car, and the damage could have long-term consequences.

He said: “Our main concern when motorists hit potholes is for their safety, and the safety of other road users. So, if you hit a pothole, pull up to a safe spot check to check your tyre for any damage and loss of pressure.

“Look for any splits or bulges in the tyre, or any signs of damage to the wheel itself, paying particular attention to the rim of the tyre.

“It’s important to check your tyre pressure too, as even a slight drop in pressure can cause higher fuel consumption if left unchecked.

“For complete peace of mind, we would recommend booking in for a free tyre check, as it will be difficult to see any damage caused to the inside of the tyre.”

While potholes have become a common hazard for motorists, Archie offered some practical tips to mitigate against the damage they can cause.

He said: “The Waze navigation app will highlight any potholes which are reported to it, so this can be an effective means of spotting upcoming hazards.

“Drivers should also keep an eye out for puddles in the road as they can be hiding a pothole underneath – so it’s best to leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front to give you a better view of the road ahead, and any potential hazards.”

While damage caused by potholes can be simple enough to spot, Archie said drivers should also consider the possibility of more serious damage, particularly if they have hit a larger, deeper pothole.

He said: “Hitting a pothole can cause much more damage than just to a tyre. Wheels can be cracked or fragmented, and your wheel alignment can be knocked out of line. If your tyres aren’t perfectly parallel and sitting at 90 degrees to the ground, they can wear unevenly over time.

“This can be especially risky if the inner edge of the tyre wears unevenly, as it is harder to spot with a simple visual check.

“Suspension items like ball joints and springs can also be damaged by severe potholes. The key piece of advice we’d always give is if you’re unsure whether your car is damaged, get it checked out by a professional mechanic.”

Pothole issues on the roads are caused by ‘freeze-thaw’, when water finds its way into small cracks in roads caused by traffic, which then freezes and expands, causing a larger hole which is made worse by more traffic driving over it.

To book a free tyre check at one of Protyre’s garages across Devon, visitwww.protyre.co.uk/garage-services/free-tyre-check