Drivers most annoyed by other motorists ‘dawdling’ at traffic light

The HiQ fast fit network has asked 500 motorists in Lancashire what frustrates them about life on Britain’s roads, with a lack of urgency at green lights infuriating most.

Surprisingly, twee car stickers – including the slogans “sprinkled by fairy dust” and “cheeky monkey on board” - came third in HiQ’s Driver Frustration survey.

Motorway middle lane hoggers came second in HiQ’s top 10 list of irritations, with mobile phone use while behind the wheel fourth and people failing to indicate fifth.

HiQ launched the questionnaire to engage with motorists, following a similar poll in 2009, which revealed a failure to acknowledge other road users when being given right of way was motorists’ number one annoyance.

Marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “We were surprised to see the results, particularly as there was no mention of traffic wardens or speed cameras, which we thought would be the cause of major frustration.”

The top 10 list of drivers’ frustrations are:

Dawdling at traffic lights – 20%

Motorway middle lane hoggers – 18%

Twee car stickers - 15%

Using mobile phone while driving – 14%

Refusing/forgetting to use indicators – 11%

Bus drivers’ ‘bullying’ road tactics – 8%

Failure to acknowledge other road users – 6%

Caravans on road – 4%

Failing to stop at pedestrian crossings – 3%

Smoking behind the wheel – 1%