A large number of UK drivers risking their lives by ignoring road hazards when it comes to avoiding potholes.

According to research from the car repair specialist, Kwik-Fit, the increase in the number of potholes across the UK roads has led to a growing number of car insurance customers turning to dangerous driving in a bid to avoid pothole damage.

With one in three, or a third of UK motorists, found having no option but to resort to dangerous driving as a bid to dodge the potholes in just a space of two months, concerns are being raised.

According to the research, one in five motorists have even risked their own lives as well as the lives of others by swerving towards oncoming traffic as a bid to dodge potholes.

Customer services director, David White, of Kwik-Fit described the move as “minesweeping” on Britain’s roads.

He stated that the increase in potholes has left motorists keeping an eye out on for potholes and paying less attention to other everyday obstructions.

He said: “Potholes are like the mines of the road with motorists doing whatever they can to dodge them. The huge rise in numbers since the winter means that millions of motorists are regularly making dangerous split-second decisions to avoid damaging their cars.

With motorists having to pay so much attention to minesweeping the road ahead, the worry is they aren't focusing enough on the everyday, expected motoring hazards either.”