In the media

3AW Melbourne: Why Victorian potholes are more than just a rough ride

In a recent segment on 3AW Melbourne, our CEO Danny Gorog joined Tom Elliott to discuss the state of Victoria's roads. The verdict? We definitely have a pothole problem, and the data from the Snap Send Solve community proves it’s getting deeper.

Last year alone, Victorian Snappers logged approximately 12,500 pothole reports, marking an 8.5% increase from the previous year. But as Danny explained, the issue isn't just about the number of holes; it’s about the "futility" of the fix and the genuine danger they pose to the community.

When we analyse the descriptions Snappers include in their reports, the data paints a vivid picture of Victorian road conditions:

  • Nearly one in five Snaps use words like "hazard," "unsafe," or "dangerous."
  • A significant 18% of Snaps describe "sinkhole-like" craters or severe road subsidence.
  • While many drivers suffer in silence, 7% of Snaps explicitly mention damage already caused to cars.

While Tom Elliott noted a "billiard-table smooth" stretch on the Mornington Peninsula, the data shows that other regions aren't so lucky.

While Mornington saw 0% growth in reports, other areas are suffering:

  • West Melbourne: Snaps are up a staggering 37%.
  • Inner Melbourne: Saw a 32% increase in flagged hazards.
  • Geelong: Pothole Snaps rose by 24%.

Despite the challenges, the news for Snappers is positive with Solve rates remaining high.

"In most cases, it’s between 85% and 95%... It’s easier to clean up dumped rubbish than it is to fix a pothole, but we are seeing roads being repaired," Danny shared.

Check out the full segment below.

Molly
Marketing Coordinator

Meet Molly, our amazing Marketing Coordinator! She's super creative and dedicated, whether she's handling Snapper comms or walking her dog, Candy. Molly loves Snapping e-scooters to help create a more accessible city for everyone.