Released On 16th Mar 2026
The Tale of Two Potholes (and Two Tyres!)
I recently had to rescue Becky (my lovely wife), who hit a pothole on the school run a few weeks ago. I sprang into action to save the day, figuring the children might be a bit distressed about breaking down - and, of course, eager not to be late for school!!! (yes, that is three exclamation marks)
As I got closer to where they were stranded, I noticed several other cars on the roadside with their hazard lights flashing. Odd I thought, but I didn’t give it much attention at the time. When I arrived, I found Becky and the kids safely parked in someone’s driveway. The children seemed rather delighted with the unexpected adventure (and for missing the start of school!).
While I was checking over the damage, the homeowner came out to see if we were okay. He mentioned that fourteen cars had hit the same pothole in the previous two days... each one bursting a tyre! Clearly, this was no ordinary pothole but a full-blown tyre trap.
I bundled the kids into my car, leaving Becky waiting for the AA (her idea, not mine - though I did offer to stay, I promise). Amazingly, they arrived within twenty minutes, fitted the spare, and had her back on the road in no time. She drove carefully over to Okee... a little more cautious this time!
Now, I pride myself on being alert to road hazards. I’m pretty sure I can sense danger before it even appears. So imagine my surprise when, a week later, we all arrived at the Combe St Nicholas panto (Becky’s dad was playing the dame!) and I heard a faint hissing sound from the van’s rear tyre. We’d hit another pothole and ruined another tyre! This time it was entirely my fault. Becky found it hilarious that the roles were reversed, as I sat in the van waiting for the AA while she enjoyed the show. Once again, they turned up within the hour, swapped out the tyre, and got us moving again... though it’s been a costly few weeks in black rubber.
We reported the original pothole and later received word that it had been “fixed.” If by fixed they mean a fallen-over cone resting inside it, then yes, technically it’s fixed! In truth, it’s still there two weeks later, though now at least it’s visible and hopefully no longer claiming victims.
A few pothole survival tips…
After our misadventures, I’ve learned a few lessons worth sharing:
- Scan the road ahead. After rain, potholes can hide under puddles - look for dips or unusual reflections
- Slow down. Lower speeds give you more time to react and reduce impact damage if you can’t avoid one.
- Hold steady. If you must hit a pothole, keep the steering straight and avoid braking hard.
- Check your tyres afterwards. Look for bulges, cuts, or hissing sounds, and don’t ignore warning lights.
- Report potholes. Local councils (like ours in Somerset) make it easy to log them online - it really helps.
And if the worst happens, find a safe spot to pull over, turn on your hazards, and call for help. The AA certainly earned our medal of thanks these past few weeks!
So keep your eyes open, drive attentively, and may your tyres stay fully inflated!