Less motorway lane hogging, and other resolutions

It is nice to see that promises of better motoring are amongst the New Year’s resolutions recently made (and possibly already neglected). Fast fitter HiQ questioned 500 drivers about what they intend to change in 2012, and many indicated that an improvement in highway manners is on the cards.

A good 21 per cent of respondents said they would stop hogging the middle lane of motorways, while 18 per cent resolved to keep calm instead of seeing the ‘red mist’ and 15 per cent vowed to acknowledge other drivers at all times when given the right of way.

HiQ hasn’t entered into speculation regarding the seriousness of these resolutions – Stuart Carr, a HiQ fast fit manager, only commented that “we all make New Year’s resolutions that never last, but hopefully these will.” The company says it issued the survey as a light hearted attempt to engage with its customers as more of them return to the brand’s forecourts after the Christmas break.

“There is a serious message behind this survey too,” Carr added. “The winter weather can pose some challenging driving conditions for us all, so any actions that motorists take to improve their driving habits has got to be a good one, no matter what it is.”

The top 10 driver New Year Resolutions are:

1. Motorists vacating motorway middle lane unless necessary – 21 per cent
2. Road rage! Motorists keeping calm instead of getting road rage – 18 per cent
3. Drivers acknowledging when being given right of way – 15 per cent
4. ‘Amber gamblers’ to stop at yellow lights – 12 per cent
5. Using indicators more regularly – 10 per cent
6. Keeping distance 8 per cent
7. Using mobile phone while driving – 7 per cent
8. De-icing car thoroughly before setting off on journey – 4 per cent
9. Smoking behind the wheel – 3 per cent
10. Keeping music down on car stereo – 2 per cent