10/08/2026
Over the weekend my family and I drove both ways along the Princes Highway between Melbourne and Bairnsdale, and encountered potholes unlike anything I can remember seeing ever.
Some were, quite frankly, life threatening.
For almost two hours, I found myself constantly scanning the road, changing direction and dodging potholes as though the safety of my family depended on it - because, in many instances, it did.
The level of concentration required simply to navigate our way home was extraordinary. I said to my wife at the time: I cannot imagine how a learner driver, an inexperienced driver, or someone driving at night is supposed to safely navigate the Princes Highway.
As a driving instructor, I spend every day teaching people to anticipate hazards, maintain a safe road position and respond appropriately to changing road conditions. But there comes a point where the condition of the road itself becomes the hazard.
We have reached that point.
These aren’t minor imperfections in the road. Some of these potholes are large enough to cause significant vehicle damage, loss of control and potentially serious crashes - particularly at highway speeds, in wet conditions or when a driver is forced to react suddenly.
Our roads have become unconscionable.
Road safety cannot simply be about educating drivers to manage hazards. There is a responsibility on those charged with maintaining our roads to provide a road network that can actually be used safely.
This needs urgent attention - before someone is seriously injured or worse.