Should Learner Drivers be Taught how to Avoid Potholes?

24/12/2020

There is a growing concern about the deteriorating state of the nation’s roads. Some of the damages, such as cracks, are unnoticeable are rarely affect drivers or their vehicles. However, some other damages, like potholes, are a great nuisance as they constantly disrupt regular driving.  Potholes are particularly a major problem during winter due to constant thawing and freezing of the water that seeps under the layer of asphalt. The increased number of potholes causes a wide array of damages to cars including broken suspension springs and distorted wheels. This greatly undermines safety on the roads in already treacherous driving conditions of the winter. Consequently, there is a push for skills and knowledge on avoiding potholes be included in the driving lesson plans. So, should you include pothole avoidance in your driving lesson plan? Let’s explore;

Why Are Potholes Dangerous?

Even in the best conditions, driving requires undivided attention regardless of experience. With potholes being so common in the UK, drivers have to be even more careful. Wheels and suspension suffer the most damage from potholes. Although the level of damage is largely determined by a driver’s speed, even a slight damage can kick-start a spiralling series of damages culminating in complete breakdown of the vehicle.

Some of the common damages caused by potholes include;

• Suspension breakdown. Tyre impact can make suspension to reach its maximum level and bottom out. At other times, the impact can cause some car components to bend
• Flat tyres. The sidewall of a tyre is normally the weakest part and severe impact after hitting a pothole can cause immediate tyre bursts. This is very dangerous as it makes the car skid from the road once the tyre pops which can lead to horrific accidents
• Steering wheel alignment. The impact of hitting a pothole can lead to can make a car wheels’ alignment to shift which further affects the steering and makes the tyres wear out more
• Tyre dents. Another type of wreck that potholes can induce is tyre dents which leads to driving difficulties as the wheels get bent and cracked
• Unplanned swerves. This is where a student swerves fast to avoid hitting a pothole but without having to observe traffic keenly which can lead to fatal car or pedestrian crashes

What do Other Driving instructors Think?

As a driving instructor, you have the very important task of teaching people how to drive safely for their own safety and that of other road users. The government intends to review driving tests to improve road conditions and enable you to empower your students to be better drivers. However, some instructors are of the view that a hazard perception test is unnecessary and cannot offer a valid simulation of real-life scenarios. They completely agree with the kind of damage and potential hazard that potholes pose but fail to appreciate the need for a regulation that addresses the degradation.

Most instructors think that driving is a combination of skill and common sense, the latter which cannot be taught. They also argue that learners can be able to deal with potholes if they drive at appropriate speeds and are alert on the road at all times. However, many instructors feel that there needs to be a change in the rules to require instructors to teach students about avoiding potholes and the associated hazards.

What Should Students Learn About Potholes?

Since potholes have evolved into being a hot topic everywhere, you should be thinking about incorporating them in your driving lesson plan. This includes teaching learners how to spot and respond to them just as they would with any other hazards they might encounter when out on the road. You should tell them that it is difficult to know if there are potholes on any particular road by observing signs since there is none that caters to the damage. They should also know that potholes can form anywhere and are much more difficult to detect in poor visibility conditions. However, they can still spot them by being extra alert and looking out far ahead as they can when driving while still being wary of other road users.

The students should know the best methods of avoiding potholes such as driving around them unless that will impede or crash into other traffic. If they have to go over they should drive straight through to avoid putting one tyre or side of the vehicle under intense pressure. Student drivers need to also learn to keep tyres properly inflated at all times as over-inflated ones will give the sidewall more pressure and under-inflated ones cannot absorb the impact. Additionally, they should avoid tailgating other drivers to give them significant time to react to potholes.

Potholes are a hot topic around the country as they are one of the most common forms of road degradation. It is important to incorporate content about such damages in driving lesson plans to ensure students’ safety and that of other road users. Avoiding potholes also ensures prevention of numerous forms of damages to cars such as bent wheels and bottomed-out suspensions.