Pothole damage costs UK drivers on average £400 a year

A new road sign has been designed by Confused.com, specifically to alert road users to the UK's 2 million potholes. The road sign is the first of its kind and the car insurance expert is petitioning to urge the Department for Transport to introduce it to roads across the UK. Confused.com is calling on motorists to support the new sign at confused.com/car-insurance/pothole-damage-petition.

A constant source of frustration for drivers, the sign has been developed in response to recent findings that even with sufficient budgets, it would take councils at least 11 years to repair the UK's damaged roads. With this in mind, 82% of drivers would like to see a road sign dedicated to potholes.

Mike Hoban, Chief Marketing Officer at Confused.com says: "Although repairing these roads is obviously the long term solution, something needs to be done now. Currently the UK's road signs include warnings for wild horses, wild animals, cattle and even toads but potholes aren't considered worthy enough? A pothole road sign is a vital step in preventing accidents and reducing insurance claims whilst road maintenance continues."

The road sign design was inspired by local pothole crusader Ted Relf, a plumber from Kent, who made national headlines in April 2010 when his home made warning sign against potholes was removed by the local council.

Ted Relf says: "We all moan about potholes and now we have the chance to do something about them.  I created my own pothole sign last year because I was concerned for the safety of drivers on my road. I fully support the introduction of an official pothole road sign and urge the nation to sign the petition at Confused.com."

The pothole road sign has been produced in accordance with the signage guidelines set by the Department for Transport and is the brainchild of Phil Baines from Central St Martins, University of the Arts London. Baines, designer and signage expert, says: "Warning road signs are there as a safety measure to warn drivers of potential dangers, and potholes certainly fall within that category. Given the scale of the current problem I would welcome a specific pothole sign being added to the Traffic Sign Manual."

Would you like to see the pothole road sign introduced? Support the pothole campaign by signing the online petition at confused.com/car-insurance/pothole-damage-petition.

To find out more about potholes visit the car insurance experts at confused.com/car-insurance.