Every time you hit a pothole and hear that sickening thud from your wheel, you're probably wondering who's going to pay for the damage. If you're hoping it's the council or state government, you might be in for a shock.
The threshold for pothole damage claims in Victoria now stands at $1,640 for the 2024/25 financial year, meaning replacing a wheel and tyre would generally be less than this threshold, getting the department conveniently off the hook.
Even if your damage exceeds that amount, you'll only be compensated for costs above the threshold.
But there's hope on the horizon. Researchers at Melbourne's Monash University have been developing technology that could dramatically improve how we monitor and fix our roads before potholes become car-wrecking craters.
The smartphone solution that's already working
The system, created by a team led by Dr Yihai Fang at the ARC Smart Pavements Australia Research Collaboration (SPARC) Hub, uses data collected from mobile phone sensors to build a live map of road health.
'This could one day help create a city-wide road health map powered by everyday drivers'
Unlike the current system where expensive laser-equipped survey trucks are typically only deployed once or twice a year, this smartphone technology could provide almost constant monitoring.
The app uses your phone's built-in sensors—the accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS—along with camera footage to detect road problems in real-time.
In an initial trial, around 25 vehicles were fitted with smartphones and driven across Melbourne roads for two months, with 22 student drivers sharing smartphone data to demonstrate how multiple contributors can strengthen the system.
Why this matters for your wallet
The financial stakes are significant for Australian drivers, particularly those on fixed incomes. According to a recent study by AAA, car repair costs due to potholes have risen to $26.5 billion annually globally, with the average repair cost per pothole running between $100 and $400.
Current damage claim reality in Australia
Victoria: Must exceed $1,640 in damage before government pays
NSW: Requires extensive paperwork, two repair quotes, and up to 6 weeks processing
Queensland: You must prove the department 'should have known' about the pothole
Success rate: Very low unless pothole was previously reported and ignored
Individual cases can be much worse—one Canberra driver faced a $337 repair bill after hitting a pothole, with a flat tyre, dented rim, and broken wheel control arm. 'My friend went back about an hour later and there were about 10 cars parked along the same stretch of road, changing tyres', she reported.
The current system isn't working
Australia's road monitoring system is both expensive and inadequate. Australia spends about $15.8 billion annually on roads, with roughly half dedicated to maintenance and renewal. Yet roads across the country continue to deteriorate.
The problem isn't just about money—it's about knowing where problems exist. Councils are unlikely to be responsible for damage to a car for failing to repair a pothole they don't know about. You would need the pothole to have been previously reported and not attended to in a timely manner to have any chance of recovering damages.
Climate change making roads worse
With climate change and extreme weather putting additional strain on road networks, the situation is deteriorating rapidly. The original article noted how recent heavy rains across large swathes of Australia have placed additional stress on road networks.
Even politicians are acknowledging the problem. NSW Premier Chris Minns recently remarked: 'If you drive around Sydney at the moment, there aren't too many roads that don't have giant potholes in the middle of them'.
How the technology could help senior drivers
For older Australians, this technology offers several potential benefits:
Earlier detection means smaller problems: Instead of waiting for a small crack to become a car-damaging pothole, problems could be flagged and fixed while they're still minor and safe to drive over.
Reduced claim hassles: With better monitoring, councils and state governments would have less plausible deniability about road conditions, potentially making damage claims more successful.
Safer driving conditions: Affordable smartphone tools could complement official surveys, providing valuable data between inspections and helping governments direct spending more efficiently.
When could this become reality?
The good news is that this isn't pie-in-the-sky research. The research is published in the IEEE Internet of Things Journal, and the approach offers a cheaper and quicker alternative to traditional road surveys, with Monash researchers saying affordable smartphone tools could complement official surveys.
The researchers are already hoping to expand the project in partnership with road authorities, and have been speaking with VicRoads as well as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator about the potential of the technology.
What this could mean for you
- Earlier pothole detection and repair, reducing car damage
- Better evidence for damage claims against councils and state governments
- Safer roads with more frequent monitoring
- Potential participation through a simple phone app
- Cost savings from preventing major road deterioration
The bigger picture: Road funding challenges
This technology development comes as governments grapple with funding road maintenance in an era of declining fuel excise revenue. As more Australians switch to electric vehicles, the traditional funding model based on petrol taxes is under pressure.
The federal government has been working with states to bring in a solution to lost revenue from fuel excise, which is used to fund roads. Recent statements from treasurers indicate that new road user charging arrangements for electric vehicles will be 'phased' in to ensure sustainable road funding.
For senior drivers, this funding uncertainty makes the smartphone monitoring solution even more valuable. If implemented widely, it could help stretch road maintenance budgets further by targeting repairs more effectively, potentially reducing the overall burden on taxpayers while improving road conditions.
The technology offers hope that the days of hitting unexpected potholes and facing expensive repair bills might be numbered.
While we wait for the system to be rolled out more widely, it's worth remembering that reporting potholes to your local council remains the best way to get them fixed—and to establish a record if you do need to make a damage claim.
Have you had expensive repairs from hitting a pothole? Would you be willing to run a road monitoring app on your phone to help improve local roads? Share your experiences and thoughts below.
Original Article
https://au.news.yahoo.com/push-for-...martphones-in-10-billion-issue-212548461.html
Car Damaged by Pothole Who is Liable? How to Win Pothole Damage Claims in Australia | CarsGuide
Cited text: Indexed to the Consumer Price Index, the threshold for the 2024/25 financial year stands at $1640.
Excerpt: The threshold for pothole damage claims in Victoria now stands at $1,640 for the 2024/25 financial year
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/whos-liable-if-your-car-is-damaged-by-a-pothole-96004
Car Damaged by Pothole Who is Liable? How to Win Pothole Damage Claims in Australia | CarsGuide
Cited text: Interestingly, replacing a wheel and tyre (surely the most common claim) would generally be less than this threshold, getting the department convenien...
Excerpt: replacing a wheel and tyre would generally be less than this threshold, getting the department conveniently off the hook
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/whos-liable-if-your-car-is-damaged-by-a-pothole-96004
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: The system, created by a team led by Dr Yihai Fang at the ARC Smart Pavements Australia Research Collaboration (SPARC) Hub, uses data collected from m...
Excerpt: The system, created by a team led by Dr Yihai Fang at the ARC Smart Pavements Australia Research Collaboration (SPARC) Hub, uses data collected from mobile phone sensors to build a live map of road health
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: While these vehicles provide highly accurate results, they are expensive to run and are typically only deployed once or twice a year.
Excerpt: expensive laser-equipped survey trucks are typically only deployed once or twice a year
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: “By using cars that are already on the road, we can make monitoring more responsive and spot problems earlier, before they turn into costly repairs.” ...
Excerpt: In an initial trial, around 25 vehicles were fitted with smartphones and driven across Melbourne roads for two months
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: The team has also tested crowdsourcing, with 22 student drivers sharing smartphone data to demonstrate how multiple contributors can strengthen the sy...
Excerpt: 22 student drivers sharing smartphone data to demonstrate how multiple contributors can strengthen the system
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
Pothole Repair Cost—The Cost of Pothole Repair in 2024
Cited text: According to a recent study by AAA, car repair costs due to potholes have risen to $26.5 billion annually.
Excerpt: According to a recent study by AAA, car repair costs due to potholes have risen to $26.5 billion annually
https://superiorasphaltlc.com/cost-of-pothole-repair-in-2024/
Pothole Repair Cost—The Cost of Pothole Repair in 2024
Cited text: The average repair cost per pothole runs between $100 and $400, though this number can vary greatly due to the following variables.
Excerpt: the average repair cost per pothole running between $100 and $400
https://superiorasphaltlc.com/cost-of-pothole-repair-in-2024/
Car-worthy roads? The ACT Government is paying out more than ever in pothole damage claims | Region Canberra
Cited text: She was left with a flat tyre, dented rim, broken wheel control arm, a $337 repair bill, and no way to get to work.
Excerpt: Individual cases can be much worse—one Canberra driver faced a $337 repair bill after hitting a pothole, with a flat tyre, dented rim, and broken wheel control arm
https://region.com.au/car-worthy-ro...re-than-ever-in-pothole-damage-claims/593989/
Car-worthy roads? The ACT Government is paying out more than ever in pothole damage claims | Region Canberra
Cited text: “My friend went back about an hour later and there were about 10 cars parked along the same stretch of road, changing tyres,” she says.
Excerpt: 'My friend went back about an hour later and there were about 10 cars parked along the same stretch of road, changing tyres'
https://region.com.au/car-worthy-ro...re-than-ever-in-pothole-damage-claims/593989/
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: Australia spends about $15.8 billion annually on roads, with roughly half dedicated to maintenance and renewal.
Excerpt: Australia spends about $15.8 billion annually on roads, with roughly half dedicated to maintenance and renewal
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
4 Things We Bet You Didn't Know About Pothole Repairs | Potholes Sydney
Cited text: It is unlikely Councils are responsible for damage to a car, its tyres and/or rims for failing to repair a pothole that they don’t know about. If you ...
Excerpt: Councils are unlikely to be responsible for damage to a car for failing to repair a pothole they don't know about.
https://www.potholessydney.com.au/news/4-things-we-bet-you-didnt-know-about-pothole-repairs/
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: “With climate change and extreme weather putting additional strain on our road networks, there’s a clear need for more frequent monitoring,” Dr Fang s...
Excerpt: With climate change and extreme weather putting additional strain on road networks
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: Monash researchers say affordable smartphone tools could complement official surveys, providing valuable data between inspections and helping governme...
Excerpt: Affordable smartphone tools could complement official surveys, providing valuable data between inspections and helping governments direct spending more efficiently
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
Smartphones in cars offer new way to monitor city road conditions
Cited text: The research is published in the IEEE Internet of Things Journal.
Excerpt: The research is published in the IEEE Internet of Things Journal
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-smartphones-cars-cities-rough-roads.html
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: The approach offers a cheaper and quicker alternative to traditional road surveys, which currently rely on laser-equipped survey trucks.
Excerpt: the approach offers a cheaper and quicker alternative to traditional road surveys, with Monash researchers saying affordable smartphone tools could complement official surveys
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
Smartphones in cars help cities spot rough roads—News Hub
Cited text: They now hope to expand the project in partnership with road authorities.
Excerpt: hoping to expand the project in partnership with road authorities
https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2025/09/smartphones-in-cars-help-cities-spot-rough-roads/117341/
The end of potholes? Monash engineers develop clever way to better map road damage
Cited text: Dr Fang said expanding the project with road authorities could eventually deliver a city-wide road condition map.
Excerpt: hoping to expand the project in partnership with road authorities
https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/potholes-monash-engineers-map-road-damage
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