RACV calls on governments to invest in regional road upgrades as readers slam Victoria’s potholes

RACV is calling on the government to invest in road maintenance as Herald Sun readers reveal that the state of Victoria’s roads are pushing them to extreme lengths to feel safe behind the wheel.

The RACV has called on the state and federal governments to invest in road maintenance to keep Victorian drivers safe.

The comments from the RACV come as the Saturday Herald Sun revealed that repair work on Victoria’s regional roads has been slashed by 95 per cent last financial year.

The Head of Policy at the RACV, James Williams, said they “welcomed” the Victorian government’s announcement of $964m in funding to support the road network, but are still waiting to hear which “specific works which will be prioritised.”

“RACV consistently calls on the federal government and the Victorian state government to invest in regional road maintenance and upgrades, with safety as a priority,” he said.

Repair work on Victoria’s regional roads has been slashed by 95 per cent last financial year. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The RACV’s 2024 My Country Road Survey found over 7000 respondents identified potholes as the “biggest safety issue on regional roads across the state.”

“When it comes to the standard of roads throughout Victoria, RACV advocates for regional roads to be improved to meet the standards outlined by the Australian Road Assessment Program,” Mr Williams said.

“We know that this issue is not just a problem in regional Victoria, with potholes also causing road safety issues in metropolitan Melbourne.”

Saturday Herald Sun readers revealed that the state of Victoria’s roads are pushing them to extreme lengths to feel safe behind the wheel.

“My wife has traded her small efficient car to a 4WD as potholes are so many, she’s frightened after smashing and swerving around Boneo Rd potholes,” Mark said.

RACV is calling on the on the federal and state governments to invest in regional road maintenance and upgrades. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Readers have also reported significant vehicle damage due to the state of the road network.

“I have had two tire replacements due to potholes driving along Dandenong Rd, Windsor in the last six weeks,” David said.

“The potholes are so bad on the Princes Highway near Winchelsea that there’s an 80 zone been put in, the shaking and bumping was so bad one of my number plates fell off,” Peter said.

Another reader said “we’re on the highway to hell”, while another added: “People are not driving on the left of the road, they’re driving on what’s left of the road.”

“You need a roadworthy on your car but the roads don’t need to be,” Matthew said.

The significant decrease in maintenance – from 9 million square metres of regional roads to just 422,000 square metres for the 2023-2024 financial year – was revealed in the latest Department of Transport and Planning annual report.

During the same period, road resurfacing funding was slashed to $37.6m from $201.4m the previous year.

Originally published as RACV calls on governments to invest in regional road upgrades as readers slam Victoria’s potholes