Patch-ups on the road to be ready

PATCHING crews work through the year to fix potholes but a council spokeswoman said it was impossible for staff to inspect all roads immediately after rain.

Potholes can cause plenty of damage to cars. Picture: File

THREE patching crews work through the year to fix potholes but a council spokeswoman said it was impossible for staff to inspect all roads immediately after rain.

She said residents were encouraged to report dangerous potholes and in big rain events priority was given to potholes with the highest safety risks.

Her response comes following the announcement this week in the 2012-2013 budget, $1.565 million has been allocated to reseal bitumen roads.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman also said they continually monitored road conditions.

"We repair any damage including potholes as quickly as possible to ensure motorists' safety," he said.

"Potholes can occur in any season, at any time, on state-controlled and local government roads but especially when there is consistent wet weather as we have recently experienced in the Southern Downs region.

"Maintenance crews inspect the New England Highway between Warwick and Wallangarra, including Stanthorpe, on a daily basis and undertake repairs where necessary."

RACQ's Technical and Safety Policy executive manager Steve Spalding said they had received 41,000 callouts to help motorists with flat tyres across Queensland this year.

"While these instances of tyre damage could not all be attributed to potholes and other road surface faults, it did highlight the need for motorists to take particular caution," he said.

"Be sure to reduce your speed if the road surface is not up to par and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front so that potholes can be spotted and avoided.

Mr Spalding said if a driver hit a pothole they should pull over and check for damage.

"Steering vibration, the car pulling to one side or unusual noises from the tyres or suspension are problem signs," he said.

While some Warwick mechanics said they had not noticed an increase in cars damaged by potholes lately, Mid City Paint and Detail had seen an increase in stone chips in windscreens.

The community can help in the removal of potholes by calling the Dob in a Pothole hotline on 13 19 40.

Originally published as Patch-ups on the road to be ready