Currently reading: Tailgating is 'most annoying habit'
Poll reveals what motorists hate about motorists

Tailgating has again been identified as the most annoying road habit in a poll of drivers.

The top five annoying habits identified in an RAC poll were:

1. Motorists following too close behind (72 per cent)2. Motorists on the phone while driving (68 per cent)3. Being cut up by other motorists (68 per cent)4. Not indicating (65 per cent)5. Not saying thank you for giving way (48 per cent)

Interestingly, driving too slowly causes more aggravation than speeding, with 45% of drivers saying they hate it when other motorists drive well below the speed limit.

While 85 per cent of motorists experience frustration behind the wheel because of other drivers' wrong doing, 70 per cent said that they were respectful most of the time.

The poll was conducted to co-incide with today's 'road respect' day.

Mark Phillips

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RustBucket 24 September 2009

Re: Tailgating is 'most annoying habit'

I agree, yes everyone should use their observational skills, and judge other road users in order to make the correct manouevre.

However, since many many drivers appear to lack this skill (since that is what we are discussing), then some sort of simple easy to remember rule, like the '20 second rule' is easy to understand and get across.

Not everyone gets an opportunity for £2k's worth of driving lessons

RustBucket 23 September 2009

Re: Tailgating is 'most annoying habit'

Stephen Guckel wrote:
£2000 a year on driving training

That's a lot of driver training.

I was taught a rule on Motorways that if your not going to overtake a vehicle within the next 20 seconds, then pull in to the left. This, to me, works well.

They should use the overhead gantry's more in this respect

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**** KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING ****

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Peter Cavellini 23 September 2009

Re: Tailgating is 'most annoying habit'

How about this for an idea, if you get too close to the car in front his high intensity fog lights come on till you back off to a safe distance, i'm sure the motor industry could do this as they have come up with distance control for cruise control.