HUNDREDS of drivers have been caught up in accidents because of the crumbling state of Scotland's motorways and trunk roads, new figures have revealed.
Official data released under Freedom of Information highlighted a catalogue of crashes, bumps and dents caused by potholes, debris on the carriageways, bollards and even landslides in the past 18 months.
Since January last year, more than 400 motorists have lodged claims for damage to their cars against the government-appointed firm that maintains most of Scotland's major roads.
The M8 and M9 in the central belt are among the worst affected.
Councils have already raided the public purse to the tune of £3.5 million to cover claims for damage caused by potholes on local roads since 2007.
MSP Alex Johnstone, the Scottish Conservative transport spokesman, said: "We can't continue in this cycle of partial or stop-gap repairs, which are rendered useless as soon as the temperature drops below a certain level."
The figures show that since January 2012 a total of 411 drivers have made claims against BEAR Scotland, the firm appointed by Scottish Government agency Transport Scotland to run more than 1,000 miles of motorways and trunk roads.
A spokesman said: "BEAR Scotland inspects the trunk road network every week to identify any serious issues and we make sure these are repaired as quickly as possible."
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