UK’s ‘most annoying’ driving habit contributes to | Tech News

The “most annoying” driving habit within the UK has been linked to 147 deadly crashes yearly. A survey of Brits discovered that tailgating is taken into account essentially the most irritating behaviour on the roads.

Tailgating refers to driving too carefully behind a vehicle. This is very harmful because it reduces your response time and will increase the risk of a collision.

As reported by the RAC, tailgating falls underneath the careless driving offence and will land you with a £100 charge and three penalty factors in your licence. Tailgating may also end in a driving ban and even a jail sentence if a severe collision happens as a outcome.

Despite the risks, a new ballot discovered that 81% of motorists witness tailgating a number of instances a month. Consumer alternative magazine Which? revealed it had surveyed 1,136 people earlier this yr about essentially the most annoying driving habits.

It stated: “We asked 1,136 Which? members in August to choose the three driving habits they considered most annoying, as well as how often they experienced each of them.” Taking the highest spot was tailgating.

In the survey, 56% of people selected it for his or her prime three and 81% stated they witness it a number of instances monthly or more. Which? stated: “Many of us were taught ‘only a fool breaks the two-second rule’ when learning to drive, and a two-second gap on high-speed roads is specified in the Highway Code. 

“Nonetheless, it seems as though that hasn’t got through to everyone. 56% of people ranked it in their top three most annoying habits, making it by far the most popular option. 

“It’s a form of space invasion that’s nigh-on impossible to prevent and is dangerous, too. National Highways estimates that tailgating contributes to accidents causing 147 road deaths (just under 10% of the total) in England each year.”

The web site defined how to react in case you’re being tailgated. “If you’re being tailgated, try to remain calm and resist the temptation to react negatively,” it stated. 

“Protect yourself by maintaining a larger gap from the car in front of you – it sounds counterintuitive but it means that if the car in front has to brake sharply, you and your tailgater have longer to react, which reduces the chance of a collision.”

The different 4 “most annoying” driving habits from the survey have been:

• Using a telephone whereas driving
• Late/no indication when turning or altering lanes
• Middle lane hogging on motorways
• Driving with dazzling headlights

What does the Highway Code say?

Tailgating is addressed as half of rule 126 of Highway Code. The code says: “Tailgating is where the gap between you and the vehicle in front is too small for you to be able to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes.

“Tailgating is dangerous, intimidating and can cause collisions, especially when driving at speed. Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front gives you time to react and stop if necessary. 

“Dangerous and careless driving offences, such as tailgating, are enforced by the police. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.”

You ought to:

• Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in entrance in an effort to pull up safely if it immediately slows down or stops
• Allow not less than a two-second hole between you and the vehicle in entrance on high-speed roads and in tunnels the place visibility is diminished. The hole ought to be not less than doubled on moist roads and up to ten instances larger on icy roads
• Remember, giant autos and bikes need a larger distance to stop. If driving a giant vehicle in a tunnel, it’s best to enable a four-second hole between you and the vehicle in entrance

For more data, see Highway Code on the Government web site right here.