The government has got a long way to go to convince drivers that they have the pothole problem under control as 67% of motorists think that they are doing a bad or a very bad job of maintaining the nation’s roads, according to the latest research published today by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Almost two thirds, 65%, of female drivers believe that the government is doing a bad or very bad job, but the figure increases for male drivers with 69% unhappy with the current state of the roads.

There is a clear lack of communication between the motoring public and local councils.  A third of drivers, 34%, think that their council is cutting spending on road maintenance but 6% of drivers don’t know if budgets are being cut, suggesting councils are performing poorly on informing and engaging with local residents.  Over half of drivers, 52%, think that local councils are doing a bad or very bad job of looking after local roads.  57% of males and 49% of females believe their council is doing a bad or very bad job.

IAM Chief Executive Simon Best said, “Despite the government’s pothole review, there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the efforts of authorities to keep our roads safe and smooth to drive or ride on. The government needs to convince motorists that they have a real cure for the pothole pandemic.  This can only be achieved through clear communication on new policies, more sharing of resources, sustained long-term funding and a continued commitment to eradicating the maintenance backlog of crumbling British roads.”