Tailgating is Britain’s most irritating driving habit, according to a poll of 140,000 motorists by motoring organisation the AA.
The poll found that 26% of drivers ranked tailgating as their biggest pet peeve, followed by talking on a mobile (25%), middle lane hogging (23%), cutting across lanes (10%) and overtaking on the inside (7%).
Tailgating has been ranked as the most irritating habit for six out of the last seven years, the AA said, with talking on a mobile phone coming second, apart from in 2014 when it won the dubious honour itself.
In addition, AA members overwhelmingly support more policing on the roads, with 75% saying they would like to see more officers on duty to deal with offences such as tailgating.
“Tailgating and hogging the middle lane is not only annoying but dangerous. Drivers across the country are so fed up that they feel more police officers are needed to help control the situation,” said Jack Cousens, AA public affairs officer. “Policing is a key concern to voters in the upcoming election and funding more officers across the board would be a welcome sign. Simply having a larger and more visible police presence on our highways will encourage greater compliance with the rules of the road and improve road safety.”
He added: “It will also send a signal to those who frequently abuse the road that their chances of being caught have been increased. At present it seems that offenders simply feel they can get away with it on a daily basis.”
