Selfish driving and using mobile phone while driving top the poll of pet peeves

Research from vehicle remarketing specialist, British Car Auctions (BCA), suggests motorists will welcome news of new powers for police to tackle bad driving. In a survey of 800 motorists, BCA found that 'selfish driving' is the thing motorists hate most about other drivers, with 70 per cent citing this as one of their top three frustrations. 57 per cent of those polled were concerned about other motorists using a mobile phone while driving, while over a third (34 per cent) said motorists texting while driving was a major frustration.

The new laws announced today will give police the power to issue £100 fixed penalty fines and three points for offences such as tailgating or middle-lane hogging that used to go to court. Fixed penalties for using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt will also rise by £40 to £100.

The BCA research also asked drivers about bad habits they had picked up since passing their test. Top of the list was not keeping both hands on the steering wheel, with 60 per cent of motorists admitting to this. Second came speeding on motorways, with 41 per cent of drivers saying they did this, with a further 32 per cent saying they sometimes drive through amber lights. But only 4 per cent admitted to using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. 

“It’s interesting to see that only 4 per cent of drivers admitted to using their phone without hands free, but over half of those we surveyed are irritated by drivers who do the same” said Tim Naylor, Editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report. 

“When asked which things have the biggest negative impact on the way they drive, nearly half of our respondents simply blamed other drivers (47 per cent). It seems that UK drivers also like a bit of courtesy on the road, with 43 per cent saying that they hate being ‘cut-up’.

Drivers Admit their Own Top Bad Habits

1. I don’t keep both hands on the steering wheel 60 per cent

2. I speed on motorways 41 per cent

3. I sometimes drive through amber lights 32 per cent

4. I use my mobile phone, not on hands free 4 per cent

Pet Hates About Other Drivers

1. Selfish Driving 70 per cent

2. Drivers Using Their Phone 57 per cent

3. Being ‘cut-up’ by other drivers 43 per cent

4. Drivers not saying ‘thank you’ if you let them out into traffic, etc 34 per cent

5. Drivers texting 34 per cent