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🇦🇺 Australia /Environment & Climate

Driver spends $160 rego rebate on pothole-blown tyre

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Victorian driver spent her $160 registration rebate on a new tire after hitting a pothole.
  • The driver described the roads in the state's southwest as a "nightmare" and "the worst" in 30 years.
  • Other motorists have also reported significant damage from potholes on the same stretch of highway.

Kerry Taylor, a resident of Warrnambool, Victoria, found her government-issued $160 vehicle registration rebate quickly consumed by the cost of a new tire. The relief of getting money back was short-lived after a large pothole on the Princes Highway near Cudgee destroyed one of her tires.

I got my refund, but now I'm going to have to put it towards tyres.

— Kerry TaylorTaylor explains how her government rebate was immediately needed for car repairs due to road conditions.

Taylor was driving from Geelong to Warrnambool on Monday when her Volkswagen Tiguan hit the pothole, causing a "bang" and a violent swerve. She recounted that the incident severely frightened her 11-year-old grandson who was in the car with her. She described the local roads as the worst she has encountered in her 30 years living in the area, calling the driving conditions a "nightmare" where drivers constantly have to dodge hazards, making her anxious, especially at dusk.

Taylor expressed frustration, stating it was unfair to spend her rebate on a tire damaged by poor road conditions. "Our cars have to be roadworthy to be on the road. How about [the government] makes the roads roadworthy, so we can put our cars on the road," she argued.

You've got to dodge the potholes, you're waving all over the road … it's just a nightmare.

— Kerry TaylorTaylor describes the dangerous and difficult driving conditions caused by numerous potholes.

This particular stretch of highway has become known for its hazardous potholes. Just the week prior, road crews had reportedly inspected and repaired the area after multiple vehicles sustained damage on June 4. Despite these efforts, other drivers, like Geoff Cain and his partner, also experienced severe impacts, with Cain describing the sound as if their wheels "exploded" and requiring the replacement of two tires costing $500.

Our cars have to be roadworthy to be on the road. How about [the government] makes the roads roadworthy, so we can put our cars on the road.

— Kerry TaylorTaylor expresses her view that the government should prioritize road maintenance.

John McNeil, owner of McNeils Tyre and Auto in Warrnambool, confirmed his business has been exceptionally busy repairing vehicles damaged by potholes. He urged the Victorian government to take more substantial action to repair the deteriorating roads in the region.

There was a very big impact [and] it was really frightening, we both yelled out.

— Geoff CainCain describes the frightening experience of hitting a deep pothole on the same highway.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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