Potholes caused misery in the United Kingdom in 2023 on a scale not seen in years, the BBC has reported.
But the news organisation said scientists hope technology like self-healing roads will help get rid of the problem.
Quoting local government and AA sources, the BBC said reports of potholes and damage they caused hit five-year highs.
The AA estimates they may have cost UK drivers as much as £500m in repairs.
Scientists warn climate change will worsen the problem as more wet weather and temperature extremes give an extra battering to the surfaces we drive on.
The BBC said almost 630,000 potholes were reported to councils in England, Scotland and Wales between January and November 2023.
The figure represented a five-year high, according to local government data compiled by campaign group Round Our Way following a Freedom of Information request.
Data was only available from 115 out of 208 councils approached, meaning the total number of reported potholes is likely to be much higher.
Paid political advertisement by Stephenson King!