11 of the most annoying UK driving habits

Here's what motoring journalist Erin Baker classes as her eleven most annoying driving habits, see if you agree with them, or if you are in fact an offender - let us know in the comments section below.

1. Middle lane hogging

It shouldn’t be possible to undertake a driver in fast-moving traffic on the motorway.

More police please, for a proper clampdown on one of the most dangerous, arrogant, stupid habits.

2. Taking the slip road late so you miss the queuing traffic

The junction exit is signalled a mile on advance. Everyone moves to the inside lane, except you. Traffic comes to a halt, you stream past and as traffic is peeling off, zip up the empty outside lane on the slip road. Well done you, except you were relying heavily on that lane being empty, and sometimes it isn’t.

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3. Taking up two parking spaces

Simple rule here: when you get out of the car, look at it before you walk away. Not sitting between two white lines? Move it, buster.

Are you ever allowed to park on double or single yellows?

4. Stopping people zip merging

Zip merging is safe, sensible and recommended by the Highway Code. It is NOT pushing in. It is keeping the flow of slow traffic moving.

You think by blocking zip mergers you’re doing the right thing morally. You’re wrong.

5. Accelerating up to the red traffic lights

Normally it's because you’re in the wrong lane, and are basically saying to the other queuing driver: “As soon as these lights go to amber, I’m going to be carving you up”. Yeah, yeah, whatever.

MORE ADVICE: Traffic light cameras: what you need to know

6. Changing lanes in slow-moving traffic

You might think this is saving you time and advancing you up the queue, but science has shown you don’t reach your destination any quicker than those who stay in the same lane. You merely impede the flow.

7. Queuing for right-hand fuel pumps

The vast majority of pumps will reach across a car, so it doesn’t matter which side you pull up to refuel, as long as you park nice and close. Please just pick the empty one.

8. Braking for average speed cameras

Did you miss the part of the sign that says “average”? That means they’ve been clocking your speed over the distance since the last camera, or over several cameras, so driving 20mph above the limit then braking for the camera is not going to work, my friend. 

Are you really allowed to drive 10% + 2 miles an hour over the speed limit?

9. Driving below the speed limit

Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous. While I would never encourage anyone to speed up unnecessarily or drive dangerously, if you are driving 30mph in a 40mph zone for no logical reason, then speed up. 

Look in your rear-view mirror. See that build-up of traffic behind you? 

10. Arguing with traffic wardens

For a start, they didn’t make the rules, and don’t have the power to change them on the spot just because you don’t like it.

And if they’ve issued the ticket already, what are you arguing with them about? They can’t rescind it. Accept your lot and be on your way. 

Do traffic wardens have targets? Find out here

11. Not letting another vehicle turn right

To quote the New Radicals, you get what you give. Let someone waiting to turn right across your lane do so next time. It’ll delay you for, oh, maybe 10 seconds, and the driver’s wave of appreciation will warm the cockles of your heart.

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