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Top 10 annoying driving habits

Most of us make a reasonable effort to be careful and courteous on the road so when we see other drivers being selfish, rude or driving dangerously, it can make our blood boil.

Some driving styles are more than merely frustrating to others; hogging an overtaking lane on a motorway when the nearside lanes are clear, for example, is actually an offence and falls under the dangerous driving category. Dangerous driving encompasses any driving style which falls under the following:

Driving dangerously
Without due care and attention
Without reasonable consideration for other road users

But what are the habits of drivers which most annoy us? Which rise to the top of behaviours which both frustrate and infuriate us? There are plenty to choose from but here are our top 10.

Lane hogging

Despite messages on matrix signs and police pulling drivers over, it is still extremely common to see cars driving for miles along motorways and dual carriageways without returning to the left lane after overtaking. This causes congestion in the outside lane, forces other drivers to make additional lane change to pass and encourages bad behaviour such as undertaking (passing on the left) which is also an offence.

Not indicating

Experienced drivers can often tell what’s about to happen by the speed and road positions of other cars but sometimes others’ manoeuvres take us by surprise, especially if they don’t give warning of their intentions by using indicators. It’s either a lack of consideration for other road users or sheer laziness but can still be classed as careless driving by police.

Appropriate speed

While most of us appreciate that excessive speed can contribute to serious accidents, sometimes even the posted speed limit is too fast. If there are hoards of school children on the pavement or visibility is low, it is frightening to see drivers travel too quickly. Also annoying are those who don’t make good progress. With dry and bright conditions on an open road, it can be immensely frustrating to follow someone not maintaining the speed limit.

Undertaking

You are in the outside lane, comfortably passing vehicles in the other lanes and your lane slows a little. Rather than being patient, the driver behind pulls to the left and sees how many cars can be passed on the inside before cutting back in to the outside lane. It’s impatient, dangerous and rude. Oh, and illegal too. Try not to be tempted to shut the gap in front of you: you’re simply putting yourself and others at risk.

Being distracted

This can take many forms but alarmingly, there are still many drivers who use their mobile phones behind the wheel. In-car tech can also be a distraction and while voice recognition is improving, it’s still not perfect and drivers have to resort to screens and menus to change even basic settings such as heating controls on some cars. Distracted driving is easy to spot too. It ranges from the frustrating (but fairly innocent) scenario where cars sit at traffic lights once they have turned to green to the downright dangerous with vehicles wandering across lanes.

Junction courtesy

You wish to turn right into a side road but there is a queue of traffic in the other direction and someone is sitting with their car blocking the junction. Now you can’t turn right and are holding up a stream of traffic behind you. Junctions shouldn’t need a yellow box or ‘keep clear’ lettering emblazoned across the tarmac: leaving a gap simply shows consideration for others.

Tailgating

‘Only a fool breaks the two second rule.’ This is the rule of thumb for ensuring a safe distance between cars. You count two seconds after the car in front passes a fixed object such as a street lamp before your car passes that same object. And it should be at least double that in poor conditions. So when the driver behind is so close you can’t even see their number plate in your mirror, you just know if you have to brake hard in an emergency they will run into the back of you. In any aggressive situation like this, it’s best to let tailgaters pass in the interests of your own safety.

Hesitant breaking

Drivers who tap their brakes ahead of any and every gentle bend or for no apparent reason - but not firmly enough to actually slow their vehicle - can prove immensely annoying for drivers behind. Seeing a car’s brake lights ahead can cause a ripple effect with following vehicles braking in turn. Random or hesitant braking can be caused by a lack of confidence, inability to read the road conditions or simply a nervous habit. Whatever the cause, it’s certainly annoying.

Slip road manners

Slip roads can cause immense annoyance. There are those who risk themselves and others by cutting across to the exit at the last minute due to unfamiliarity with the road, distraction or blatantly trying to avoid a queue of patient drivers in the inside lane waiting to leave the motorway. Joining etiquette is also important. How many times have you patiently merged with traffic on the main road to find someone undertaking all other cars on the slip road to race ahead and squeeze in just where the slip road runs out?

Inconsiderate parking

There is a whole host of possibilities when it comes to annoying parking. Blocking driveways, parking on pavements so pedestrians have to step onto the road, drivers using disabled spaces when not entitled to and either straddling a line in a parking bay or not parking straight so it’s hard for others to climb in and out of their cars.

About the Author

Andrew is a freelance motoring journalist with a background in IT and the vehicle leasing industry. With a lifetime’s passion for all things automotive, he can be found behind the wheel of everything from vans to supercars. In addition to reviewing the latest vehicles and technology, Andrew also runs a couple of classic British motors. He lives at the edge of the Peak District with his son and cat.

Andrew Wright @theMotorWriter