Avoiding potholes and driving like a drunk driver

[soupdragon1]

Was driving the other day on a particularly bad road, not very busy at all and I was weaving quite a bit to avoid the many potholes.

What would the police view on this be? Obviously, I would pass the breathaliser test, but is there still a risk to getting charged with a driving offence?

I'm trying to achieve 2 things.

1. Not damage or put strain on the suspension, or the car in general

2. To drive with a little bit of comfort.

Some of the potholes you encounter are so bad it can knock you off course unless you are holding on tight to the wheel. Is it perceived safer to drive over the potholes or to avoid them? Or is it just a matter that, as long as you use common sense, its ok to swerve around them like mini chicanes?

[Hol]

You are seriously over thinking it, by wondering what the police would think if they saw you expertly avoiding potholes as they followed you.


They are interested in erratic and unexplainable behaviour. They can see the potholes just as well as you.

It happens daily to thousands of people without incident or recognition on motoring forums.

Edit.
As with other seemingly obvious everyday scenarios that pass without incident you will always get the usual attention seekers claiming they were locked up for ten years without trial for doing the thing.

Edited by Hol on Thursday 25th May 07:31

[valiant]

The police will probably be doing the same.

They can see the potholes as clearly as you can and as long as you’re not doing it aggressively where you cause oncoming traffic to take avoiding action you’ll have nothing to worry about.

[rev-erend]

Don't panic.

I think we all do this now, whether in a car or on a bicycle or motorbike.

[Mr Miata]

I was once told by a police officer, if you crash into someone then there’s no excuse. People have been charged for dangerous driving for swerving to avoid a fluffy kitten and crashing onto someone

[Griffith4ever]

Next door neighbour was doing exactly this and got tugged by the cops - 3 weeks ago or so. The stuck their head in the window - clearly checking for booze smell. Once satisfied he was weaving to avoid pot holes (and not drunk) he was on his way.

[DaveH23]

They could charge you with 'Driving with due care and attention.'

[rayny]

The old ' two second rule' comes into force here ( Only a fool breaks the two second rule ) -
It used to give you time to stop, rather than crashing into the car in front of you.
Nowadays it gives you a chance to see, and therefore avoid, the potholes that the car in front of you has just hit/avoided.

[48k]

When I swerve the potholes on the A5 my car thinks I'm falling asleep.

[Cliftonite]

48k said:

When I swerve the potholes on the A5 my car thinks I'm falling asleep.

Lexus? Toyota?

[48k]

Cliftonite said:

48k said:

When I swerve the potholes on the A5 my car thinks I'm falling asleep.

Lexus? Toyota?

Volvo XC40

[Turbobanana]

Milton Keynes is full of potholes. You can spot the locals as they know "the line". I will try my utmost to avoid the holes, even if it involves swerving, and will happily defend my actions to any police officer that stops me.

[Geffg]

I’ve thought the same sometimes when I’ve been swerving potholes that if the police seen me they must think I drunk. But I’m pretty sure they’d realise why.
The roads everywhere are getting ridiculous now. But there’s always roadworks on what seems every road but it’s utilities or other. Never see any roads being repaired. Getting beyond a joke now.
Only time roads get relaid or something is to do a new cycle lane or narrow a road.
You would think the government are trying to make us stop using our cars
Suppose it slows people down to some extent which is what they want and And if we do carry on using them we are gonna be paying a lot for the privelege, wether in fuel or get the vat off us in repairs.