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A new study has shown that not using indicators is the most annoying habit experienced by motorway drivers.

The report revealed that 62% of Irish motorists have ranked not using indicators as the habit that most gets under their skin on the country’s motorways.

Although the majority of motorists agreed that failing to use indicators topped the most annoying chart, the survey also highlighted key differences between male and female drivers’ attitudes to speed on motorways.

The research, done by vehicle mobility specialist easytrip, revealed that 67% of females got frustrated by other motorists driving too fast on the motorway while 55% of males were irked by people driving too slowly in the fast lane.

Female drivers were most concerned with environmental issues with 61% annoyed at other motorists chucking rubbish out the window.

For male drivers, 54% got aggravated by “middle lane hoggers” according to the easytrip survey.

(Image: Collins Photo Agency)

Commenting on the findings, CEO of easytrip Ireland Colin Delaney said: “Correct use of the motorway is vital for everyone’s safety. We’ve all heard of the saying that the ‘indicator must have come as an optional extra’ but it’s clearly the number one frustration for many motorists.

“It’s important that we alert other road users to our next move while driving and that means checking your mirrors and using your indicators when changing lanes,” he advised.

“It can be stressful during busy peak times, particularly on the M50, but being respectful of our fellow motorists is of benefit to all,” Mr Delaney added.

Overall, 59% of motorists who completed the easytrip survey rated driving too slow in the fast lane as a major pain.

This was followed by 56% of motorists pointing to tailgating and 55% highlighting using a mobile phone while driving as prime irritations.

Other annoying habits on the motorists’ gripe lists were littering out the window, changing lanes too frequently, not merging correctly from a slip road.

The lowest ranking annoyance was not driving up to toll plazas in the right manner, with just 15% or motorists giving this as a reason to get angry.