Oxfordshire County Council has paid out more than £400K in compensation for potholes from 2018 to 2020.

The study of more than 2,000 motorists by webuyanycar.com found more than half admitted to having had their car damaged because of a pothole and a huge 73 per cent know someone who has.

75 percent of drivers said they have no idea how to submit a claim from their local council for compensation, with just three percent having successfully done so.

Research revealed that Oxfordshire County Council paid out £408,364 in compensation from 2018 to 2020, 158 percent more than the Southeast average per thousand inhabitants.

Read also: Pub chain fined £90k for contributing to fatbergs in Oxfordshire

The survey also revealed drivers find potholes to be one of the biggest annoyances while on the road, with almost 40 percent agreeing they are worse than a driver carrying on when you have right of way.

A further 38 per cent said hitting a pothole was more inconvenient than getting stuck behind a slow driver or middle lane driver, while 34 per cent would rather sit in a traffic jam than drive over a pothole.

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar.com said: “It’s hardly shocking that two thirds of people find potholes to be a major issue, but it is surprising to learn that 40 percent of drivers admit to avoiding routes they know are prone to them.”

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