25 September 2025
More than a quarter (27%*) of drivers say that tailgating is the most irritating behaviour carried out by other drivers, according to a survey by The AA.
The poll of 12,014 drivers found that a fifth (19%) of drivers are hacked off by middle lane hoggers, while one in six (16%) get annoyed at drivers picking up and using a mobile phone when they are behind the wheel.
This most recent survey shows that the menace of tailgating remains the biggest bugbear when out on the road, with previous studies carried out by AA Accident Assist in 2023 highlighting driver frustration**. Similarly, more than half (55%***) of drivers said that tailgating has been getting worse in recent years.
The AA’s most irritating driver behaviours 2025
- Tailgating – 27%
- Middle lane hogging – 19%
- Using a hand-held mobile phone – 16%
- Swooping (cutting across lanes) – 8%
- Speeding – 8%
- Littering – 6%
- Driving slowly – 5%
- Undertaking – 5%
- Drivers playing with a phone docked in a cradle – 3%
- Drivers playing with the car infotainment system – 2%
- People not wearing a seatbelt – 1%
“The harsh reality is that every driver feels the pain of crashes caused by tailgating with increased insurance premiums.”
The survey also highlights dangerous behaviours such as not wearing a seatbelt, speeding and undertaking. Drivers also get irked by drivers being distracted with things in their car such as a mobile phone docked in a cradle and playing with the car’s infotainment system.
Penalties
Unlike speeding, tailgating and middle lane hogging are not recognised as specific motoring offences. Drivers found to be driving in this way could be charged with ‘driving without due care and attention’, or even ‘dangerous driving’ depending on how serious officers deem the actions at the time.
Similarly, most cases are not caught and processed via cameras, but through officers catching people in the act. The AA is calling for 1,000 more specialist traffic officers to help police the roads and help make streets safer.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said; “Experienced far too often, being tailgated remains the behaviour that drivers 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.
“Drivers need to leave sufficient space from the car in front to stop needless crashes. The harsh reality is that every driver feels the pain of crashes caused by tailgating with increased insurance premiums.
“As well as being more mindful when driving, we need more cops in cars to help stop dangerous and anti-social driving behaviours before the spiral into more serious incidents.”
* Yonder received 12,014 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 8th and 16th July 2025. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.