MOTORISTS are reminded to keep their distance this Bank Holiday weekend after research reveals tailgating as the most common annoyance on the road.

New research by The Co-operate has ranked the top ten most annoying motoring behaviours across the country – with tailgating, not indicating and cutting up drivers ranked as top three.

In fourth place is drivers using mobile phones, followed by those who pull out on traffic and cause others to brake and those who drive too slow.

Using roundabouts incorrectly and not giving way are also seen to irrigate motorists the most.

In addition, a third of drivers are annoyed by motorists speeding near schools, hospitals and nurseries, 32 percent say speed in general is annoying, with just under a fifth irritated by music being played at excessive noise levels.

Nick Ansley, head of motor insurance at The Co-operative Insurance, said: “With busy roads expected this Bank Holiday weekend, we would urge drivers to keep calm behind the wheel. The research clearly shows that other drivers can cause motorists’ irritation, and tailgating is clearly the main cause of driver annoyance in the UK.

“A very high proportion of motorists are admitting to being annoyed by other drivers. Whilst this is human nature, it is important for people to try to not let things get to them whilst driving and remain focused on reaching their destination safely and being courteous to other road users.”

Findings show that 95 percent of road users are driven to distraction by other motorists.

Men are less likely to be negatively affected by other road users with one in twenty saying that other drivers don’t annoy them, in comparison to women where only four per cent feel the same.