Gloucestershire County Council has paid out £80,000 to drivers for damage or injury caused by potholes in the last three years.

In all, councils across the South West paid out more than £850,000 in compensation to motorists in the last three years.

The cost of the pesky potholes came from a Freedom Of Information request by webuyanycar.com.

UK-wide, councils have paid out over £16m to drivers between 2018 and 2020. Additionally, the company surveyed over 2,000 motorists to learn just how big a problem potholes are.

Apparently, we'd rather sit in a traffic jam, get stuck behind a middle lane driver or attend a pointless meeting than hit a pothole, a new survey has revealed.

More than three quarters (76 percent) think road conditions are worsening, with 70 percent agreeing councils should commit more resources to fixing potholes.

The new research has revealed just how much potholes really rile motorists across the country, with nearly two thirds of drivers (63 percent) believing the roads in their area are in poor or very poor condition.

The study of more than 2,000 motorists by webuyanycar.com found over half (54 percent) admitted to having had their car damaged as a result of a pothole and a huge 73 percent know someone who has. And 75 percent of drivers have no idea how to submit a claim to their local council for compensation, with just 3 percent having successfully done so.

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar.com said: "It's hardly shocking that two thirds of people find potholes to be a major issue but it is surprising to learn that 40 percent of drivers admit to avoiding routes they know are prone to them. Luckily how to sell your car at webuyanycar.com is much easier than trying to avoid potholes."

Richard added: "While we might not be able to repair the potholes in your area, we can certainly help you sell your car safely and hassle-free, with a valuation in less than 60 seconds and even sell to us the same day."

The survey revealed drivers find potholes to be one of the biggest annoyances while on the road, with almost 40 percent agreeing they are worse than a driver carrying on when you have right of way. A further 38 percent said hitting a pothole was more inconvenient than getting stuck behind a slow driver or middle lane driver, while 34 percent would rather sit in a traffic jam than drive over a pothole.

Potholes are even more frustrating than tasks off the road too, with 34 percent saying they are worse than a pointless meeting at work, 31 percent would rather listen to someone eating loudly and almost 40 percent are annoyed more by potholes than by someone who doesn't use their manners.