Mindful Money

With the Bank holiday exodus nearly upon us, new research by The Co-operative Insurance reveals that tailgating tops the list of motoring annoyances in the UK.

With many people taking to the roads to make the most of the last Summer Bank Holiday of the year, the research has shown that tailgating comes in pole position, annoying two thirds, at 66%, of motorists, with failing to indicate coming runner up, irritating 61% of drivers.

Being cut up by another motorist, at 59%, comes in third position whilst drivers using mobile phones and motorists pulling out into traffic too late also rank highly.

In addition, a third of drivers are annoyed by motorists speeding near schools, hospitals and nurseries, 32% say speed in general is annoying, with just under a fifth at 19% irritated by music being played at excessive noise levels.

Findings show that 95% of road users are driven to distraction by other motorists. Drivers in the West Midlands, where the infamous M6 ‘Spaghetti Junction’ is situated, are less tolerant of other road users than any other whilst drivers in the South West are the calmest in the UK

Men are less likely to be negatively affected by other road users with 6% saying that other drivers do not annoy them, in comparison to women where only 4% feel the same.

Nick Ansley, head of motor insurance at The Co-operative Insurance, said: “With busy roads expected this Bank Holiday weekend, we would urge drivers to keep calm behind the wheel. The research clearly shows that other drivers can cause motorists’ irritation, and tailgating is clearly the main cause of driver annoyance in the UK.

“A very high proportion of motorists are admitting to being annoyed by other drivers. Whilst this is human nature, it is important for people to try to not let things get to them whilst driving and remain focused on reaching their destination safely and being courteous to other road users.”