Reporting an unsafe road could help other road users and prevent tragedies

Reporting a damaged or unsafe road to the local authority could help others who have been injured on the road to receive compensation to cover costs such as medical bills and loss of wages. If a report is made about a pothole or hazard, it could even prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in the first place.

Telling the local council or State Government department could potentially help prove the authority was at fault following an accident, especially if the hazard was known to authorities but no action was taken.

Close to 70 per cent of Australian road users believe roads are not being adequately maintained to keep drivers safe. Sixty-seven per cent surveyed said they felt their roads were not being adequately maintained, according to Slater and Gordon research from Roy Morgan.

Only a third of Australian road users (33 per cent) thought roads were being adequately maintained to keep drivers safe. Seventy-seven per cent of Sydneysiders, 59 per cent of Melbourne respondents and 56 per cent of Brisbane residents felt their roads were not being adequately maintained.

Many injured road users seeking legal support have been involved in an accident involving poorly maintained road surfaces such as potholes, Slater and Gordon Roads Associate Emma Bussoletti says.

“A lack of road maintenance can create significant hazards for motorists and can result in avoidable crashes involving injuries and even fatalities. Motorists should report any road maintenance hazards to the appropriate authority, depending on who manages the road, at the earliest opportunity. You might end up assisting someone to access compensation who has been severely injured or preventing accidents and injuries from occurring altogether if the road is fixed,” Emma says.

Australian roads, in NSW, QLD and Victoria in particular, have been under major strain following extreme weather events including flooding and heavy rain. Heavy rain has resulted in billions of dollars’ worth of damage and more needs to be done to avoid potentially tragic consequences on our roads.

“In some regional and rural areas, roads have just about been washed away. In speaking out about our local road issues, we can hopefully get damaged roads assessed and re-surfacing can take place as quickly as possible,” Emma says. With some workers and families behind the wheel all day to earn a living, it can be especially dangerous on the roads following flooding and heavy rain.

“Some drivers have had no other option but to take vehicles on alternative roads with some being poor quality or unmade. No one should have to risk their car being damaged or risk being in an accident due to poorly maintained or unsealed roads.”