A freezing cold and icy winter has triggered a record number of potholes across Scotland's roads which look like the 'surface of the moon', according to the RAC.
In the first three months of 2021, the breakdown rescue firm received nearly 5,000 call-outs for vehicles damaged by potholes, around three times as many as last year.
The "extensive damage" across roads was caused by this year's treacherous winter weather, with Scotland surviving the coldest January since 2010.
Dozens of potholes, which are formed by water seeping into cracks and expanding when frozen, likely appeared after temperatures plummeted to -23C in in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, the lowest in more than 25 years.
Nicholas Lyes, the company's head of roads policy, said roads are in a "desperate state" and that some councils, which are responsible for repairs, are "simply patching up potholes rather than fixing them properly."
He said: "Many drivers are finding themselves having to use roads that in places better resemble the surface of the moon."
Distorted wheels, broken suspension springs or damaged shock absorbers are some of the typical pothole-related problems RAC patrols found themselves dealing with.
The RAC say local and national governments face the 'enormous task' of bringing road surface standards up to a reasonable level.
“In some ways, the quieter roads brought about by national lockdowns could have been an ideal time for councils to start to fix problem road surfaces ready for the arrival of more traffic as restrictions are eased," Mr Lyes added.
"Sadly, our data suggests this may not have been the case and may also suggest many councils are still simply patching up potholes rather than fixing them properly."
It comes after the RAC is called on a local council in the Highlands to carry out major repairs to the North Coast 500 route, ahead of a predicted tourist boom this summer with travel restrictions easing.
The motoring body has stated that there is a severe risk of the potholes causing expensive damage to the vehicles of unwary tourists.
The calls come after reports the roads along the hugely popular tourist route were in a bad way and with some “suspension-destroying” potholes dotted along major sections.
According to Iain Gregory, of the campaign group Caithness Roads Recovery, it is only a matter of time "before a tragedy occurs" as a direct result of the dangerous condition of many of the roads around Caithness.
Dubbed Scotland's answer to Route 66, the NC500, which is a 516-mile loop around the northern tip of the country stretching from Inverness to Caithness and back, is regularly named as one of the best driving routes in the UK.
Hugely popular with tourists, it had seen rising numbers of visitors over the past five years before the pandemic shut much of the country down.
Loved by car and motorbike enthusiasts due to the rugged terrain, sweeping roads, and epic scenery, it is expected to be a huge attraction for a predicted 'stay in Scotland' tourism boom this summer.
