RACV research, commissioned for its submission to the Parliamentary inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads, quizzed 750 regional road users on the condition of the arterial network.

The south-west rated highest for dissatisfaction with VicRoads (36 per cent). When it came to a breakdown of what upset the region’s drivers the most, road surface was the biggest concern (47 per cent), followed by grass and vegetation trimming (19 per cent) and gravel road shoulders (15 per cent).

Seventy-one per cent of respondents also said road surface was the most dangerous concern, along with potholes (65 per cent), narrow roads (39 per cent) and poor road edges (33 per cent).

The RACV submission was one of more than 300 received by the inquiry, which is examining VicRoads’ management of country roads, the current funding model, and whether roads management should be split into separate country and metropolitan roads bodies.

The RACV called for a “substantial increase” in funding for the maintenance of country roads, as well as the creation of regional road management plans to be developed with communities and industry.

VicRoads acting chief executive Kerry Thompson said the organisation was listening to the “frank and important feedback”.

“We know our country roads need an overhaul and that’s what they’re now getting with another record investment in the state budget to rebuild regional roads and a new dedicated team to deliver it,” she said.