Everyday drivers across South Australia know the feeling all too well. You're driving down a familiar local road, and suddenly you're dodging crater-like dips that feel like a game of suburban roulette. A recent feature by The Advertiser has put the spotlight on this exact issue, exploring the rising frustration among motorists facing unexpected repair bills and damaged suspension.
To show the true scope of what local drivers are experiencing on the tarmac, the report used Snap Send Solve data to map out the massive spike in road maintenance issues being flagged by the community.
Our latest reporting data featured in the article shows that South Australians are actively stepping up to get these road hazards on the radar:
- Snap Send Solve recorded 4,116 pothole and damaged-road reports across South Australia in the 12-month period to June, a staggering leap from 1,877 reports the previous year.
- This represents a massive 119% year-on-year increase in community-led road defect reports across the state.
- The surge isn't just a metropolitan issue; drivers are actively uploading dashcam footage and photos highlighting severe road wear across the Adelaide Hills, the South-East, and the Yorke Peninsula.
As our CEO, Danny Gorog, noted to The Advertiser, the numbers show a distinct upward trend:
"There has been a dramatic increase in the number of reports of unfixed potholes, and they’re still climbing."
Local councils, including the City of Playford, noted that South Australia's exceptionally wet start to the winter season, the dampest in 35 years, has accelerated road degradation, turning unsealed roads pockmarked and leaving asphalt patches vulnerable to washing out.
While weather patterns constantly shift and impact maintenance priorities, having accurate community data is the most effective way to help local authorities track where the highest risks to public safety are located.
Check out the full article here.
