Driving. The thing that can bring us so much joy. But also so much misery. There’s nothing better to remind you just how irritating other people can be, than getting behind the wheel of your car and going for a drive.

Whether its maniacs on the morning commute, slow-coaches on a Sunday drive, or psychopathic parking battles, driving can be hell.

So, what are the worst driving habits of motorists across the UK? We’ve taken a look at rants and raves across the internet to find the daily nuisances that drive us crazy.

Middle lane hogging

We’ve all been there. Cruising along the motorway enjoying ourselves, when the time comes to either overtake the car in front, or to pull out of the fast lane to take your exit. And that’s when you’ll find them. The middle lane hogs. Not content to drive in the slow lane, too nervous or scared to go in the fast lane, the middle lane hogs make using motorways just that little bit more difficult.

The middle lane is supposed to be the passing lane. You should be driving in the slow lane at all times, only venturing out to pass slow vehicles in front. But so many of us find it much more comfortable to cruise along in the middle, conveniently forgetting how irritating it can be to others.

Snail-paced driving

Slow drivers. The bane of many existences. Why are these always on the road when you are in a rush? Cruising along twenty miles per hour below the speed limit as you wait anxiously behind them to get them moving.

While they may have a fair reason for driving slowly, either due to their own ability or the ability of their car, it’s still infuriating and one of the most hated driving habits in the UK.

Not indicating

Have you been waiting at a roundabout and started to pull out only to find the car you thought was exiting is actually coming straight towards you and you suddenly have to brake?! Okay, breathe. (This is a particular bugbear of mine). Not only because indicating is a courtesy that makes driving easier for everyone else. But it’s also essential to how roundabouts work.

People complain all the time about how confusing roundabouts can be, but it’s really quite simple. As long as people use them correctly!

Tailgating

Slow drivers can be very frustrating. But they aren’t as dangerous as tailgaters. Normally found on motorways or dual carriageways, you can usually spot a tailgater straight-away as they fill up your rear-view mirror, flashing you impolitely until you move aside. No matter if you are driving at the speed limit, or the road conditions mean it’s not safe to cruise at the speed limit, you are going far too slow for them and need to get out of the way.

There are few things as infuriating as a tailgater. And sadly, the best thing to do is to move aside. Because if you don’t, they won’t back away and could end up undertaking, which can lead to potential accidents.

Late braking

Some people think driving is like being on a racetrack, where you need to get from A to B as quickly as possible without thought or consideration to any driver on the road other than yourself. Late braking is one of the biggest signs of a wannabe-Lewis Hamilton.

Instead of coming to a gradual stop as they prepare to turn or reacting with plenty of time to the vehicle braking in front, they leave it to the last minute. Leaving hearts in mouths and angry mutterings as they continue on with their day without realising, they irritation they’ve caused.

Parking across two bays

Ever been in a car park searching for a space, only to find the gap you finally spotted is actually not big enough for your car? And the reason? Because someone has parked across the lines and taken up YOUR space. Normally it’s a nice new car, perhaps the owner trying to prevent someone parking too close to their pride and joy. Which makes the urge to get out and key their bodywork so much harder to resist. And why is there never a traffic warden around to punish them when you need one?

Cutting in line

Everyone who drives their car on a daily basis knows which roads are busy. You may have a smooth, traffic-free drive to work, but most of us don’t. And there will be a spot where cars have to queue and wait to get through the congested areas. But not everyone follows the rules of etiquette.

Some drivers will cruise along in the other lane, only to try and indicate and jump in front of the queue. This forces drivers to either back down and let them in, or to try and hold their nerve as they aggressively push across in front, holding up cars behind them too.  And they always get their way and make their way through. Infuriating!

Racing off at the lights

Ever been at a set of traffic lights and felt like you were in the starting grid of an F1 race? The car beside you revving its engine as it waits for the lights to go green. Tension builds inside of you, even if you were planning to drive normally. Normally it’s because they want to cut across and use a different lane to the one they are in. But it’s always enough to get your back up and complaining about terrible drivers.

Swerving into the other side of the road

It’s no secret that drivers and cyclists don’t get on. But drivers can become really quite reckless when a cyclist is on the road ahead of them. And one of the worst habits they have is to swerve so far across to pass them that they are practically in the same lane as oncoming traffic. Extremely dangerous and mind-boggling stupid, you often have to react rapidly to avoid an accident. When you factor in an exposed cyclist, it just makes it that much more stupid.

Honking

The horn is not a means of communication. It’s only supposed to be used to warn of danger. Not to tell a driver just what you think of them. But some drivers are like an angry goose who honk at the slightest nuisance. Give it a rest!