Potholes and one behind the wheel. Options

[SirWilliam]

Not a day goes by without the pothole issue being raised and figures that would shame the GDP of most Countries offered as the cost both in repair and in damage, yet how many of the whinging Audi, ( other makes are available ), drivers would consider driving slower and using that round thing in front of them to steer around the hole? Oh no! Let's throw money at the problem and to h**l with the NHS needs or elderly care. I agree that those wretched traffic humps are the worst culprit as there is no way of avoiding them but if nothing else a hole in the road should reduce speed without the need for expensive cameras etc. If you want to experience Newbury's tarmac problems try pushing a wheelchair along pavements that have been dug up more times than one can remember and never left in a flat state. Even those pavements that are reasonable good have poor access points because of 2 or 3 inch disparity, or are blocked off by a parked car. Do we ever hear the disabled complain? If they do I doubt anyone listens as numerically they are very much a minority and therefore don't matter.

[On the edge]

It's ironic that footpaths should be used as an example of our crumbling roads network given that the intended users can't use them with any degree of safety anyway! What with parked cars and vans, cyclists, disability trollies, monster baby buggies and utility excavation spoil heaps.

A few years back, I spent a good deal of time in LA, where the roads, even the trunk routes, were in a far worse state than anything we see round here. However, it was very obvious mean average speeds were lower than in UK. II came home only to find our dear departed LibDems were merriliy trying to do the same in the UK, by installing speed humps etc.

The 'pot holes' do mean drivers have to concentrate rather more and thus keep speeds down and that also includes militant cyclists!

So arguably, austerity has done us a favour, demonstrating we can reap the safety benefits which come when drivers are slower and more attentive without spending a penny.