Drive Dynamics — South West drivers are “the calmest in the UK” — but what annoys us the most?

Ahead of one of the busiest weekends on the roads, new research claims that drivers in the South West are the calmest in the UK — but that doesn’t mean we don’t get annoyed at a multitude of motoring grievances!

As holidaymakers prepare to hotfoot it from into North Devon and then from whence they came, new research by The Co-operative Insurance reveals that tailgating tops the list of motoring annoyances in the UK, frustrating two thirds (66%) of motorists.

Failing to indicate comes runner up, irritating 61% of drivers, while being cut up by another motorist (59%) comes in third position. Drivers using mobile phones (55%) and motorists pulling out into traffic too late (50%) also rank highly.

In addition, a third (33%) of drivers are annoyed by motorists speeding near schools, hospitals and nurseries, 32% say speed in general is annoying, with just under a fifth (19%) irritated by music being played at excessive noise levels.

Nick Ansley, head of motor insurance at The Co-operative Insurance, said: “With busy roads expected this bank holiday weekend, we would urge drivers to keep calm behind the wheel. The research clearly shows that other drivers can cause motorists’ irritation, and tailgating is clearly the main cause of driver annoyance in the UK.

“A very high proportion of motorists are admitting to being annoyed by other drivers. Whilst this is human nature, it is important for people to try to not let things get to them whilst driving and remain focused on reaching their destination safely and being courteous to other road users.”

Findings show that 95% of road users are annoyed by other motorists in some way. Drivers in the West Midlands, where the infamous M6 “Spaghetti Junction” is situated, are less tolerant of other road users than any other whilst drivers in the South West are the calmest in the UK.

Men are less likely to be negatively affected by other road users with one in 20 (6%) saying that other drivers don’t annoy them, in comparison to women where only 4% feel the same.

Unlike the other age groups where tailgating is the main reason for annoyance, 18–24 year old drivers are more likely to be irked by drivers failing to indicate (54%) and cutting them up (54%).

For more information visit — http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/