Discovery Pothole Patrol Fixes Over 260,000 Potholes in Joburg in Three Years

Discovery Pothole Patrol Fixes Over 260,000 Potholes in Johannesburg in Three Years

The Discovery Pothole Patrol recently celebrated a major milestone, having repaired over 260,000 potholes in Johannesburg since its launch in 2021. This partnership between Discovery Insure, Avis Southern Africa, and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has been instrumental in improving the safety and quality of roads in Johannesburg, which has long struggled with potholes.

This initiative has seen tremendous success, thanks to the involvement of Johannesburg residents who actively report potholes through the Discovery Pothole Patrol app. The app uses geolocation technology to allow users to log and report potholes, which are then addressed by eight road repair vehicles that deploy daily to repair these hazards across the city.

How Discovery Pothole Patrol Works

The app has become a key tool in helping Johannesburg tackle the pothole problem head-on. Once a user reports a pothole, an inspector is sent to assess the situation, and if there are multiple potholes along the same stretch of road, the team takes the opportunity to fix all the issues in that area.

“This initiative is making a dent – in a good way,” says Litha Nkombisa, Chief Sales Officer at Avis Southern Africa. “We’re proud to support Discovery Insure in creating safer roads and reducing the impact of potholes on Johannesburg’s road users.”

The Discovery Pothole Patrol has proven to be an effective solution, with a 99% repair success rate and a 67% decrease in pothole reports in areas where the initiative operates. This impressive success is due to a combination of proactive repairs and improved monitoring through the app.

Seasonal Impact on Pothole Formation

With summer rains on the horizon, the need for ongoing repairs becomes even more urgent. Discovery Insure’s data shows a direct correlation between increased rainfall and the formation of potholes. As rain seeps into road cracks, it worsens the existing damage, and heavy vehicle traffic exacerbates the problem.

“It’s like pouring water on sand. The water displaces the sand, forming a deeper recess — that’s exactly what happens when water gets into road cracks,” explains Precious Nduli, Chief Commercial Officer at Discovery Insure. “The problem worsens with heavy vehicles, which push down on the cracks and break up the asphalt, creating more potholes.”

Making a Tangible Difference

The Discovery Pothole Patrol initiative not only helps improve the road infrastructure but also aims to create safer driving conditions for everyone. As Nduli notes, the project reflects Discovery Insure’s broader commitment to enhancing road safety for both insured and uninsured road users.

Nkombisa hopes that other businesses will follow suit and partner with the City of Johannesburg to contribute to tackling infrastructure challenges. “We believe that initiatives like the Discovery Pothole Patrol are making a real difference in the city, and we hope more businesses get involved to help improve Johannesburg’s roads even further,” he says.

Future Plans for the Pothole Patrol

The ongoing success of the Discovery Pothole Patrol has set a strong foundation for future road repair efforts across Johannesburg. With continued support from Avis Southern Africa, Discovery Insure, and the Johannesburg Roads Agency, the city is on track to further reduce its pothole problem.

“Potholes are one of the biggest frustrations for Johannesburg motorists,” Nduli concludes. “We’re proud to be part of this initiative, and with our partners, we’re committed to making Johannesburg’s roads safer for everyone.”