More than a quarter (27%) of drivers say that tailgating is the most irritating behaviour carried out by other drivers, according to a new survey.
The poll of 12,014 drivers, carried out by the AA, found that a fifth (19%) of drivers are hacked off by middle lane hoggers, while one in six (16%) get annoyed at drivers picking up and using a mobile phone when they are behind the wheel.
The survey also highlights dangerous behaviours such as not wearing a seatbelt, speeding and undertaking. Drivers also get irked by drivers being distracted with things in their car such as a mobile phone docked in a cradle and playing with the car’s infotainment system.
The AA’s most irritating driver behaviours 2025:
- Tailgating – 27%
- Middle lane hogging – 19%
- Using a hand-held mobile phone – 16%
- Swooping (cutting across lanes) – 8%
- Speeding – 8%
- Littering – 6%
- Driving slowly – 5%
- Undertaking – 5%
- Drivers playing with a phone docked in a cradle – 3%
- Drivers playing with the car infotainment system – 2%
- People not wearing a seatbelt – 1%
Unlike speeding, tailgating and middle lane hogging are not recognised as specific motoring offences, notes the AA. Drivers found to be driving in this way could be charged with ‘driving without due care and attention’, or even ‘dangerous driving’ depending on how serious officers deem the actions at the time.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said: “Experienced far too often, being tailgated remains the behaviour that drivers hate the most.
“It’s little wonder – feeling pressured from the vehicle behind, worrying about if they will stop in time if you need to slam the brakes in an emergency, and headlights glaring into mirrors all create a stressful experience.
“Drivers need to leave sufficient space from the car in front to stop needless crashes. The harsh reality is that every driver feels the pain of crashes caused by tailgating with increased insurance premiums.
“As well as being more mindful when driving, we need more cops in cars to help stop dangerous and anti-social driving behaviours before the spiral into more serious incidents.”
I think the reference to tailgating in the article refers to single carriageway roads David, where ‘moving to the left’ is not an option for the driver being tailgated and I think that is what Nigel is also referring to.
Hugh Jones, South Wirral
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One person’s tailgating is another person’s impatience due to the person in front of them refusing to move to the left most appropriate lane of traffic.
I won’t say that better perception and roadcraft by drivers (such as not lane hogging) would stop tailgating but it would in my eyes go some way to reduce driver impatience.
David Weston, Newcastle upon Tyne
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Pity the AA seems preoccupied with ‘irritants’ rather than safety. 30% of crashes are related to close following and ‘yes’ drivers can be ticketed for it to the tune of £100 and 3 points on the licence.
Nigel ALBRIGHT, Taunton
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