By Chidozie Ehirim
Editor
For many motorists, driving is a joy and a more than convenient way to get from A to B.
Owning or having access to a personal vehicle makes life more convenient and for the most part, driving can be an enjoyable experience.
However, like most things in life there is the bad as well as the good and driving is no exception. There are things that really get under the sin of motorists.
The Zee Media researchers have spoken to a number of motorists to get their views.
Based on the responses, they have put together a Top 10 list of the things that really grind their gears.
10. Poor lane discipline on motorways
Motorways are great. They provide an efficient way to get around and allow for smooth, quick progress at high speeds. Knowing when to overtake and how to do so safely is one of the most basic aspects of motorway driving. However, some drivers appear to be ignorant of this.
The respondents we spoke had too often experienced fellow drivers sitting in lanes 2 to 4 without overtaking. As a result they had been forced to undertake. Lorries were also a source of much ire for some.
One respondent, Frank, an experienced driver who has seen his fair share of bad motorway driving told us, "Lorries that overtake other lorries take an hour to do so. It's ridiculous."
Another was poor filtering and lack of forward planning. Andy, from Bedfordshire told our researcher, "My biggest hate is people not filtering with good manners. It should be that if someone's waiting to get out, you let them go, then you go. Then the car behind you let's the next one go and so on."
On a more positive note, learner drivers will now be able to gain experience on motorways. Hopefully this will lead to standards improving.
9. Unscrupulous garages
Owning a car can be expensive. Maintaining one comes with a myriad of costs. More often than not, drivers will put their trust in mechanics who they hope will do a good job of looking after their pride and joy.
While a good number of garages charge a reasonable price for work carried out, there are unfortunately a number of garages that are less then honest.
The respondents we spoke to advised that one of the most grating issues was a larger than expected bill for relatively minor work. In addition, charging for unnecessary work was also a problem.
With motorists seeking to save money and keep expenses to an absolute minimum, this was an issue that really angered those we spoke to.
8. Unnecessary roadworks and traffic jams
No one likes to be kept waiting and this is certainly applicable when sitting in a vehicle.
The reasons behind traffic jams are many but roadworks are a common culprit. Some of our respondents however, were somewhat skeptical where roadworks were concerned.
Although they appreciated the need for roadworks, many believed some were unnecessary and caused unneeded congestion as a result.
7. Drivers not indicating
Courtesy is very important to the majority of motorists. Most tend to follow the basic unwritten rules of the road without incident. However, one of the more basic aspects appears to be somewhat of a lost art.
When following another driver, the lack of indication by the driver in front was described by many of our respondents as highly annoying and in more extreme cases, very dangerous - especially at higher speeds.
Motorists value progress as well as safety - not indicating can significantly affect both of these.
6. Not emerging safely from junctions
We have already touched on some of the unwritten rules not followed by motorists. For some of our respondents it was the lack of attention to the written ones that was of significant annoyance. Our entry at no. 6 is one that many can relate to.
With most drivers willing to wait for a safe enough gap before emerging from a junction, there remain a select few who pull out unsafely, causing the following driver to slam on the brakes.
One of our respondents Debbie, a driver with over 30 years experience, told our researcher, "one of the things that really annoys me is people pulling out of junctions and then taking forever to speed up. If you are going to pull out on someone do it quickly!"
5. Speeding drivers
Speed limits are integral to safety on our roads and are necessary for enabling motorists to get to their destination in one piece.
However, while most drivers adhere to the limits, there remain a stubborn minority who choose not to and as a consequence, put other drivers at risk. The problem is more acute in more built up areas where some drivers, despite the dangers, continue to drive at excessive speeds.
The respondents we spoke to also advised us that in their opinion there was a lack of care and attention. In addition they pointed to a general reduction in standards, courtesy, patience and concentration while on the road.
4. Drivers holding a phone while driving
With Bluetooth headsets and hands free kits being relatively cheap, drivers who continue to use a mobile phone handset are still a worrying trend.
Despite the government significantly increasing the penalties for those who drive while holding a phone, too many are still tempted to hold a phone while operating a vehicle on the move.
Many fatal and non fatal accidents have resulted due to drivers using a handset while driving and as a result, our respondents were still shocked to see drivers doing it.
3. Not giving way on roundabouts
The failure of many motorists to give way to traffic coming from the right, also got the blood of many drivers boiling. Many advised it was one of the most aggravating things they had to contend with.
This happens more often than not and can be very dangerous. It is a requirement to give way to the right on a roundabout and is one of the main reasons that it angers motorists when it is broken.
Lack of knowledge of the highway code in general appears to be a contributing factor to drivers not knowing the rules especially regarding roundabouts.
2. Impatient drivers and tailgaters
Another highly irritating aspect of driving was the tendency for many drivers to allow their anger and frustration to get the better of them and resorting to tailgating the driver in front.
The respondents we spoke to who had experienced this felt threatened and intimidated by drivers following too closely and of particular concern was the potential escalation of road rage as a result.
1. Potholes
Imagine you're driving along, everything is calm and normal, then all of a sudden, bang! Your car jolts, perhaps the steering goes out of alignment and the car leans to the side. You realize something is very wrong. You exit the car and take a look and to your horror, you notice a flat tire.
This is an extreme scenario. Most of the time when hitting a pothole, the damage is not as devastating but over time, the accumulation of multiple impacts with potholes can cause major damage to wheels, steering and suspension resulting in hefty repair bills.
What was of particular frustration was just how conveniently potholes appeared to be placed on the road - right where car wheels tended to be.
Editor
For many motorists, driving is a joy and a more than convenient way to get from A to B.
Owning or having access to a personal vehicle makes life more convenient and for the most part, driving can be an enjoyable experience.
 |
| Annoying |
However, like most things in life there is the bad as well as the good and driving is no exception. There are things that really get under the sin of motorists.
The Zee Media researchers have spoken to a number of motorists to get their views.
Based on the responses, they have put together a Top 10 list of the things that really grind their gears.
10. Poor lane discipline on motorways
 |
| Low standards |
The respondents we spoke had too often experienced fellow drivers sitting in lanes 2 to 4 without overtaking. As a result they had been forced to undertake. Lorries were also a source of much ire for some.
One respondent, Frank, an experienced driver who has seen his fair share of bad motorway driving told us, "Lorries that overtake other lorries take an hour to do so. It's ridiculous."
Another was poor filtering and lack of forward planning. Andy, from Bedfordshire told our researcher, "My biggest hate is people not filtering with good manners. It should be that if someone's waiting to get out, you let them go, then you go. Then the car behind you let's the next one go and so on."
On a more positive note, learner drivers will now be able to gain experience on motorways. Hopefully this will lead to standards improving.
9. Unscrupulous garages
Owning a car can be expensive. Maintaining one comes with a myriad of costs. More often than not, drivers will put their trust in mechanics who they hope will do a good job of looking after their pride and joy.
 |
| Taking advantage |
The respondents we spoke to advised that one of the most grating issues was a larger than expected bill for relatively minor work. In addition, charging for unnecessary work was also a problem.
With motorists seeking to save money and keep expenses to an absolute minimum, this was an issue that really angered those we spoke to.
8. Unnecessary roadworks and traffic jams
 |
| Gridlock frustration |
The reasons behind traffic jams are many but roadworks are a common culprit. Some of our respondents however, were somewhat skeptical where roadworks were concerned.
Although they appreciated the need for roadworks, many believed some were unnecessary and caused unneeded congestion as a result.
7. Drivers not indicating
Courtesy is very important to the majority of motorists. Most tend to follow the basic unwritten rules of the road without incident. However, one of the more basic aspects appears to be somewhat of a lost art.
When following another driver, the lack of indication by the driver in front was described by many of our respondents as highly annoying and in more extreme cases, very dangerous - especially at higher speeds.
Motorists value progress as well as safety - not indicating can significantly affect both of these.
6. Not emerging safely from junctions
We have already touched on some of the unwritten rules not followed by motorists. For some of our respondents it was the lack of attention to the written ones that was of significant annoyance. Our entry at no. 6 is one that many can relate to.
With most drivers willing to wait for a safe enough gap before emerging from a junction, there remain a select few who pull out unsafely, causing the following driver to slam on the brakes.
One of our respondents Debbie, a driver with over 30 years experience, told our researcher, "one of the things that really annoys me is people pulling out of junctions and then taking forever to speed up. If you are going to pull out on someone do it quickly!"
5. Speeding drivers
Speed limits are integral to safety on our roads and are necessary for enabling motorists to get to their destination in one piece.
However, while most drivers adhere to the limits, there remain a stubborn minority who choose not to and as a consequence, put other drivers at risk. The problem is more acute in more built up areas where some drivers, despite the dangers, continue to drive at excessive speeds.
The respondents we spoke to also advised us that in their opinion there was a lack of care and attention. In addition they pointed to a general reduction in standards, courtesy, patience and concentration while on the road.
4. Drivers holding a phone while driving
With Bluetooth headsets and hands free kits being relatively cheap, drivers who continue to use a mobile phone handset are still a worrying trend.
Despite the government significantly increasing the penalties for those who drive while holding a phone, too many are still tempted to hold a phone while operating a vehicle on the move.
Many fatal and non fatal accidents have resulted due to drivers using a handset while driving and as a result, our respondents were still shocked to see drivers doing it.
3. Not giving way on roundabouts
The failure of many motorists to give way to traffic coming from the right, also got the blood of many drivers boiling. Many advised it was one of the most aggravating things they had to contend with.
This happens more often than not and can be very dangerous. It is a requirement to give way to the right on a roundabout and is one of the main reasons that it angers motorists when it is broken.
Lack of knowledge of the highway code in general appears to be a contributing factor to drivers not knowing the rules especially regarding roundabouts.
2. Impatient drivers and tailgaters
Another highly irritating aspect of driving was the tendency for many drivers to allow their anger and frustration to get the better of them and resorting to tailgating the driver in front.
The respondents we spoke to who had experienced this felt threatened and intimidated by drivers following too closely and of particular concern was the potential escalation of road rage as a result.
1. Potholes
Imagine you're driving along, everything is calm and normal, then all of a sudden, bang! Your car jolts, perhaps the steering goes out of alignment and the car leans to the side. You realize something is very wrong. You exit the car and take a look and to your horror, you notice a flat tire.
 |
| A true menace |
This is an extreme scenario. Most of the time when hitting a pothole, the damage is not as devastating but over time, the accumulation of multiple impacts with potholes can cause major damage to wheels, steering and suspension resulting in hefty repair bills.
What was of particular frustration was just how conveniently potholes appeared to be placed on the road - right where car wheels tended to be.
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