Drivers behaving badly

AXA car insurance research has found the most and least respectful drivers in the UK, with drivers in the West Midlands being the least respectful on Britain’s roads.

The survey of 2,000 drivers in cities across the country found that those in Coventry, Birmingham and Wolverhampton clearly left their manners at home and were the most likely to flout rules and behave badly on the road.

Together with Sheffield and Newcastle, they all appeared in the bottom five of AXA's 'Respectful Cities' list, with inconsiderate - and often illegal - behaviour such as:

• Four in ten drivers from Birmingham and 45% of those in Coventry say they drive over the speed limit, with 13% in both cities admitting to driving through red traffic lights.
• Three in ten drivers in Coventry admit to eating and drinking at the wheel, and 16% ignore road rules and signs.
• Around 17% of motorists in Wolverhampton swear at other drivers - the highest in the country.
• Wolverhampton drivers also fail to let others know of their intentions, with a third not indicating at roundabouts, and more than one in five (22%) failing to indicate generally.
• Almost one in ten (9%) in Newcastle are happy to use their mobile while driving.
• More than one in ten of those in Sheffield are also guilty of passing through traffic lights when amber or red, making offensive hand gestures (12%), and 10% admit to tailgating.

In contrast, residents in Brighton and Hove top the list of Britain's most respectful drivers, showing care and consideration on the roads: just 4% swearing at drivers, cutting them up, or using offensive hand gestures.