Are you Britain’s most annoying driver? The habits guaranteed to infuriate other motorists

Tailgating, phone use and middle-lane hogging are among the driving habits frustrating UK motorists. But how many of us are guilty ourselves?

From drivers glued to their phones to those who seem to have forgotten how to use their indicators, there’s no shortage of driving behaviours that get under our skin.

But which habits frustrate UK motorists the most – and are we guilty of doing some of them ourselves?

Research by Carwow, surveying 1,200 UK drivers, has revealed the nation’s biggest driving pet peeves, alongside some surprising admissions about motorists’ own behaviour.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

The UK’s most annoying driving habits

Tailgating takes the top spot, with almost three in 10 (29%) motorists naming it as their biggest frustration. Using a mobile phone while driving (19%) and hogging the middle lane (13%) follow.

Failing to indicate (11%) and being stuck behind a slow driver (10%) complete the top five.

Online complaints tell a slightly different story, with lane hogging accounting for 31% of complaints analysed, compared with 17% for tailgating.

Here are the top five driving frustrations, according to the survey:

1. Tailgating – 29%
2. Using a phone while driving – 19%
3. Hogging the middle lane – 13%
4. Failing to indicate – 11%
5. Being stuck behind a slow driver – 10%

A reminder that some of these have legal consequences

The Highway Code offers guidance on all five behaviours, and some can have legal consequences:

• Rule 126 recommends leaving at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads, increasing this in wet conditions. Tailgating can lead to prosecution for careless or dangerous driving.
• Holding and using a mobile phone while driving is illegal, even when stopped in traffic. The penalty is £200 and six penalty points.
• Rule 264 says drivers should keep left unless overtaking. Unnecessary lane hogging could result in action for careless driving.
• Rule 103 advises signalling clearly and in good time before manoeuvring. Failing to do so could contribute to a careless driving offence.
• Rule 146 reminds motorists that speed limits are maximums, not targets. Drivers should adapt their speed to road and traffic conditions, meaning slower driving isn’t necessarily wrong.

Are we as good as drivers as we think?

Despite 94% of motorists admitting to feeling annoyed or angry while driving, most have a positive view of their own abilities.

Around 43% describe themselves as calm and confident, while 30% say they’re cautious and steady. Just 5% consider themselves impatient.

However, almost half (47%) admit to having driven over the speed limit, despite only 8% identifying speeding as the most dangerous driving behaviour.

There are also generational differences. Drivers aged 81 and over were most likely to describe themselves as cautious (42%), compared with just 17% of those aged 18-29.

How to become a more considerate driver

We can’t control how others behave on the road, but small changes to our own driving can make journeys safer and less stressful.

Here are some of my top tips:

• Leave a safe distance from the vehicle in front so you have time to react if traffic slows.
• Keep your phone out of reach to avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.
• Keep left unless overtaking and avoid unnecessary middle-lane hogging.
• Give other motorists plenty of space when merging to help traffic flow smoothly.
• Stay patient behind the wheel and avoid aggressive reactions to other drivers.
• Look ahead and stay alert to changing road conditions so you can anticipate potential hazards.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

Want to see the latest car content first? Add Carwow as a preferred source here. Click here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.