Tailgating has once again been ranked the most annoying behaviour encountered on the roads, with more than a quarter of drivers citing it as their top frustration, according to new research by the AA.
A survey of 12,014 motorists found that 27% regarded tailgating as the most significant nuisance. In comparison, 19% said middle-lane hogging was their chief irritation, while 16% pointed to drivers who use a hand-held mobile phone at the wheel.
The findings indicate that tailgating remains a persistent source of annoyance for road users year after year. A previous AA Accident Assist survey in 2023 also identified it as a major grievance, while over half of drivers (55%) reported that the behaviour appears to be getting worse recently.
The 2025 league table of frustrating habits is as follows:
- Tailgating – 27%
- Middle lane hogging – 19%
- Using a hand-held mobile phone – 16%
- Cutting across lanes (“swooping”) – 8%
- Speeding – 8%
- Littering – 6%
- Driving too slowly – 5%
- Undertaking – 5%
- Using a phone in a cradle – 3%
- Adjusting in-car infotainment – 2%
- Failing to wear a seatbelt – 1%
Other issues raised included speeding, undertaking and drivers distracted by gadgets inside their cars, from docked mobile phones to infotainment screens.
Unlike speeding, tailgating and middle-lane hogging are not defined in law as distinct offences. Instead, police can issue penalties for driving without due care and attention or, in more serious cases, dangerous driving. These behaviours are rarely caught on camera and are usually dealt with only when officers observe them directly.
The AA has called for 1,000 more specialist traffic officers to tackle such unsafe and anti-social practices, with Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy at the AA, saying, “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, which results in 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 they spiral into more serious incidents.”