Tesla drivers have been named Britain's biggest hypocrites behind the wheel after new research exposed the gulf between what motorists demand from others and how they behave themselves. Some 88% of Tesla drivers admit to catching themselves doing things they regularly complain about. Cupra drivers come second (also 88%), followed by Škoda owners (83%). Kia, Hyundai and Renault drivers are all on 81%, with MG on 79%, BMW 76%, Audi 74% and Ford 74%.
Most common double standards
The poll of 2,008 motorists for temporary vehicle insurance provider GoShorty found that almost three-quarters of drivers overall (74%) admit to doing things they cannot stand when somebody else does them. The most common double standard is refusing to let another vehicle pull out, admitted by 17%. Failing to indicate and refusing to let another car merge follow on 14%, while 12% admit failing to say thank you after being let out.
One in 10 has flicked the middle finger or made another offensive hand gesture. Yet motorists retain a remarkably positive view of their own driving, and some 96% say they are good drivers and 96% describe themselves as polite. By contrast, 93% believe at least some other British motorists are bad behind the wheel and 2% think all other drivers are poor.
Pet hates and seasonal frustrations
Mobile phone use emerged as the nation's biggest driving pet hate, annoying 65%, with tailgating and failing to indicate irritate 61% each, while parking across more than one space bothers 52%. Half dislike people cutting into a queue of traffic and 49% become irritated when a driver fails to say thank you after being let out.
As autumn and winter arrive, drivers also become frustrated by poor-weather habits. Failing to dip full beams is the biggest seasonal irritation, cited by 60%, narrowly ahead of dazzling headlights on 59%. Driving without lights when conditions are dark or gloomy irritates 41%, while 38% dislike motorists driving too closely in wet or icy conditions. Unnecessary fog lights frustrate 35%, while 30% dislike people setting off with only a small section of a frosted or iced windscreen cleared.
Horns, waves and expert advice
The study also found that another motorist typically does something to annoy a driver around 35 minutes into a journey. Brits sound their horn three times on the average trip, most often because another vehicle pulls out in front (37%), cuts them up (36%) or fails to move when a traffic light changes (35%). Despite that, motorists still wave an acknowledgement to other drivers an average of 15 times a week.
Phil Evans, Managing Director at GoShorty, said: “What this research really highlights is how easy it is to notice poor behaviour in somebody else while overlooking our own.” He added: “Simple habits such as dipping your headlights at the right time, clearing your windscreen properly and leaving extra space in wet or icy conditions can make a real difference.”
