Riders who get annoyed by cars and vans following too close behind will be delighted to know they are not alone: tailgating was named as the most irritating behaviour carried out by other road users in a new survey conducted by the AA.

Over a quarter (27%) of drivers named tailgaters as their number one pet hate, with middle lane hoggers and drivers using mobiles close behind.

Motorcyclists’ bad habits didn’t feature in the top 10 but there were grumbles from car drivers about the way we ‘undertake’ and filter at speed through traffic queues, as well riders who speed or take bends so fast that they venture towards the middle white line and spook oncoming traffic.

There was also a complaint about bikers who litter, and those who swoop from lane to lane in a bid to make faster progress in slow-moving traffic.

Unlike speeding, tailgating and middle lane hogging are not recognised as specific motoring offences, the AA said, but riders could be charged with riding ‘without due care and attention’, or even ‘dangerous driving’ depending on how serious police 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 motorists 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.

 

“That’s particularly true for motorcyclists, given how vulnerable they are on the road.

 

“All drivers need to leave sufficient space from the vehicle in front to stop needless crashes, which can be fatal for motorcyclists.”