{"id":80427,"date":"2026-08-26T02:09:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/80427\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T02:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:09:16","slug":"aussie-drivers-ripped-off-by-pothole-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/80427\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie drivers \u2018ripped off\u2019 by pothole crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, the Calder Freeway claimed my beloved car as its latest victim. <\/p>\n

My wheel looks like a can opener has torn into it. I\u2019m sad and to be honest, just like my rim, I\u2019m feeling ripped off.<\/p>\n

You see, I\u2019ve just realised I\u2019m at least $1000 out of pocket and its not even 9am.<\/p>\n

As a resident of regional Victoria, a pothole strike on my car has seemed inevitable in recent weeks, but I\u2019ve been vigilant.<\/p>\n

MORE: 98 per cent of pothole claims rejected<\/a><\/p>\n

I scan the road ahead for damage, I dodge and swerve. I slow down and switch lanes. I avoid the freeway altogether in favour of the country roads of the Macedon Ranges (there\u2019s simply fewer potholes, you see).<\/p>\n

\"World-first<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve even swapped out of my sports hatch for the farm ute on occasion \u2013 it\u2019s more forgiving and cheaper to repair.<\/p>\n

This morning, I opted for the heated seats in the Hyundai. Big Mistake.<\/p>\n

MORE: Genesis unveils $250k SUV<\/a><\/p>\n

I slowed down through the ongoing roadworks, down to 40km\/h past the road workers doing their best to patch up years of neglect. I picked my way through the new potholes which have sprung open overnight, wishing I\u2019d opted for the back roads instead.<\/p>\n

My Waze app alert shows \u201cpothole ahead.\u201d Again.<\/p>\n

The road ahead is clear, but then suddenly it\u2019s not<\/p>\n

I\u2019m travelling in the left-hand lane. It has two potholes, one in front of my left wheel, the other in front of my right. I slow, but it is too late. Which hole do I hit? I choose to shift the car to the right. And that\u2019s the biggest mistake of the day.<\/p>\n

The right front alloy strikes the hole. There\u2019s a monumental thump, my soul leaves my body and I wait for the tyre pressure warning to come on. Surely it\u2019s my turn to make *that* call to the RACV.<\/p>\n

MORE: Drivers cop new bill in green crackdown<\/a><\/p>\n

As luck would have it, the tyre light stayed off.<\/p>\n

My wheel alignment seemed OK. I got to my destination and jumped out to survey the aftermath. I\u2019m gutted. The wheel looks like a write off. I show my husband, a mechanic, the damage.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not surprised, this is an issue workshops like ours in regional Victoria have been dealing with for months, but things have accelerated in the past few weeks.<\/p>\n

Just last week I quoted repairs on a customer\u2019s car. He\u2019d hit a pothole in the dark, damaging tyres, rims and suspension components. His prospective bill ran into the thousands.<\/p>\n

Other customers come in shaking, they\u2019ve hit a pothole and are worried they\u2019ve caused damage.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re inspecting cars, carrying out wheel alignments, quoting more shock absorber replacements, reporting damaged tyres, worn ball joints and replacing control arms. Traditionally these are wear and tear items, but it sure seems like there\u2019s more wear and tear than usual.<\/p>\n

Will I be compensated for today\u2019s damage?<\/p>\n

Based on recent reports in the Herald Sun, I\u2019ve got a better chance at tonight\u2019s Powerball.<\/p>\n

Just 23 drivers out of 1809 drivers had their pothole claims paid out in the past two financial years. 2 per cent.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the issue of the threshold for damage being so high \u2013 for the 2026\/2027 financial year, the threshold amount is valued at $1681.<\/p>\n

Even if I get my claim accepted, I\u2019m going to be out of pocket for the first $1681. If I\u2019m one of the anointed 2 per cent, VicRoads will only pay the difference above that amount.<\/p>\n

So it looks like I\u2019ll be $681 better off making an insurance claim, and paying my $1000 excess.<\/p>\n

$1000 out of pocket and a likely premium increase because our state has below par roads.<\/p>\n

No wonder so many Victorian motorists are feeling aggrieved.<\/p>\n

Eight days ago, the state government \u00adordered a review of its pothole compensation scheme after the Herald Sun revealed it was rejecting virtually all claims.<\/p>\n

Eight days later, the road network claimed my car.<\/p>\n

Eight days ago, the new Roads Minister Paul Hamer said, \u201cWe need to improve the state of our roads \u2026 I drive on the roads a lot, and I always have a look out for the conditions of our roads.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today this Victorian motorist pleads, Minister, you must fix our roads.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Today, the Calder Freeway claimed my beloved car as its latest victim. My wheel looks like a 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