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A motoring expert has warned that tackling potholes must not be a "periphery issue," stating that "our country without roads is nothing."
AA president Edmund King said drivers "feel short-changed" despite paying tens of billions annually into the Treasury, as too many roads suffer from unfilled or badly repaired potholes.
Fuel duty alone generated £24.3 billion in the year to March. Other taxes include VAT on fuel, vehicle excise duty, and insurance premium tax.
The estimated cost to bring pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to standard has now reached a record £18.6 billion.
Speaking on The Logbook YouTube channel, Mr King said: “Our country without roads is nothing.
“Ninety per cent of freight goes by road and 86 per cent of passenger journeys are by road.
“If we didn’t have the roads, the country would be at a standstill.
“There would be no goods in our shops, no exports and people wouldn’t get to work.
“This isn’t a periphery issue.”
Mr King said drivers were paying the price for a failed “patch and run” approach, where potholes are badly filled and return within weeks.
He went on: “It is the number one transport issue for 96 per cent of drivers.
“At The AA we see it first-hand.
“Last year our patrols were called out to 617,000 pothole-related incidents – punctures, damaged wheels, steering and suspension damage.
“For drivers, it is the worst feeling: dark nights, wet roads, puddles, you can’t see the pothole, and then you hear the bang.”
New figures from insurer Aviva show a quarter of claims for pothole damage result in vehicles being written off.
This happens when the estimated cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle, or it is not possible for the vehicle to be returned to a safe condition.
Pothole claims – including repairs and write-offs – are worth £3,863 on average, according to Aviva.
Hannah Pinches, motor claims director at Aviva, said: “Many motorists may perceive potholes as an annoyance but it’s worrying to see how many cars have been written off due to severe damage.
“Older vehicles can be more susceptible to damage whereas modern cars have more technology and features which are often built in to parts, such as bumpers.
“Even seemingly minor damage could result in a vehicle being written off as the structural or safety integrity of the car has been compromised.”
The Department for Transport issued new reporting requirements for English councils earlier this week which require them to prove they are doing more to fix potholes and future-proof roads.
This is aimed at encouraging full resurfacing of roads rather than short-term fixes.
Local authorities risk losing up to a third of their funding for roads maintenance if they fail to demonstrate they are working effectively.
Roads minister Simon Lightwood said: “For too long motorists have been left incensed by short-term work being prioritised over genuine long-term repairs.
“Thanks to our new guidance, that changes today.”