From tailgating to middle lane hoggers - research reveals the most annoying habits seen on UK roads and Brits' least favourite motorway

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A new nationwide study from webuyanycar has revealed the top pet peeves on UK roads with car users getting annoyed by fellow road users an average of 11 times a week, as tailgating (31 percent) ranks as the highest annoyance.

One in five (20 percent) voted hogging the middle lane as one of the greatest annoyances on UK roads, along with not indicating correctly (19 percent) and unnecessary overtaking (10 percent).

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Ironically, more than one in four (27 percent) admitted that they themselves are guilty of not indicating correctly and 17 percent hog the middle lane, despite these being listed highly in the most annoying road offences.

The study found that drivers of Ford (20 percent), Toyota (12 percent), Volkswagen (11 percent), Skoda (9 percent) and Nissan (8 percent) were given the title of the politest car users on the road.

A new nationwide study from webuyanycar has revealed the top pet peeves on UK roads with car users getting annoyed by fellow road users an average of 11 times a week, as tailgating (31 percent) ranks as the highest annoyance. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)A new nationwide study from webuyanycar has revealed the top pet peeves on UK roads with car users getting annoyed by fellow road users an average of 11 times a week, as tailgating (31 percent) ranks as the highest annoyance. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
A new nationwide study from webuyanycar has revealed the top pet peeves on UK roads with car users getting annoyed by fellow road users an average of 11 times a week, as tailgating (31 percent) ranks as the highest annoyance. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Close to half (47 percent) stated BMW car users as the drivers that they witness beeping the most, with Audi at 14 percent and Mercedes at seven percent.

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So, it’s no surprise that as many as 41 percent of Brits judge a driver's driving ability by the car that they drive.

Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of Brits say that they criticise the driving skills of a driver when they are a passenger, with 43 percent criticising their partners the most and almost one in 10 (9 percent) criticising their friend’s driving ability.

Yet, it’s not just passengers that will criticise the driving capability of road users, as two in five (42 percent) Brits admit to having had an argument with another driver on UK roads due to their driving ability.

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Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar commented: “From the research, it’s evident that Brits can easily get frustrated on UK roads when certain offences are made by fellow road users, however, it’s important to ensure that drivers stick within the driving laws.

“While we might not be able to stop other road users committing annoying offences, one thing we can help with is taking the annoyance out of selling your car, as with webuyanycar the process is quick, simple and easy, with selling your car being made possible in just three simple steps.”

One in five (21 percent) voted Land Rover as the car that passengers feel the safest in, with a further 15 percent choosing a Mercedes Benz.

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Humble as ever, as close to two-thirds (61 percent) of drivers rate their driving ability as only average, with 2 percent stating their driving to be poor.

When putting driving skills to the test, the study found that the most stressful cities to drive around are London (67 percent), Birmingham (eight percent), Manchester (six percent) and Leeds (four percent).

Almost half (47 percent) agree that their least favourite motorway is the M25, while almost one in six (15 percent) chose the M6 and 14 percent considered the M1 the worst motorway for driving on in the UK.

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Making a long journey more bearable, Gloucestershire (21 percent) was chosen as the nation’s top service station, along with Cobham (15 percent) and Tebay (14 percent).

BRITS TOP FIVE LEAST FAVOURITE MOTORWAYS

1. M25 – 46%

2. M6 – 15%

3. M1 – 14%

4. M62 – 7%

5. M5 – 5%

BRITS TOP FIVE SERVICE STATIONS

1. Gloucestershire – 21%

2. Cobham – 15%

3. Tebay – 14%

4. Wetherby – 9%

5. Beaconsfield – 8%