The analysis conducted by the AA found that out of the 25,000 members surveyed, Scotland’s drivers were the most likely in the UK to have had to make a sudden turn to avoid the holes.

On average 72 per cent of British drivers said they had swerved to dodge potholes.

The motoring association said that local councils were being “let off the hook” as half of Britsh motorists were not reporting potholes even in roads close to where they live.

Most active in reporting potholes were Scots and drivers in the south-east of England, both with 22 per having reported a pothole. Least active are those in London, with 14 per cent, against an average of 19 per cent.

A major part of the problem is that many drivers (41 per cent) do not know enough about how to report them.

Many local authorities now have easy to use pothole reporting systems on their websites and the AA urges drivers to use them. If a bad pothole is not reported, and damage to a vehicle occurs, the highway authority may escape paying compensation, claimed the AA.

The study echoed recent research that points to a fall in the quality of Scotland’s roads.

Edmund King, the AA’s president, says: “Despite promises that Britain’s pothole epidemic would be reversed, it remains a serious concern. We know from our research that two out of five drivers have suffered pothole damage in the last two years which is shocking.

“It is clear local authorities need to do more to inform drivers of their reporting systems and policies. It is also important for drivers to do their bit too by reporting potholes. This increases the chance of preventing damage, a possible crash and casualties.”

Last week the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland found that up to 39 per cent of non-trunk roads were in need of repair in 2013-15 and that the proportion of roads “which should be considered for maintenance treatment” is up to two percentage pointson 2011-13.

Scottish councils have blamed the latest deterioration on “significant” spending reductions.

A spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities told the Scotsman: “Councils have managed their services well despite a £350 million cut in Scottish Government grants.

“Roads need a long-term solution and there is no quick fix, but it is up to local authorities to prioritise spending on local needs.”

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