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ROAD RAGE

Top reasons drivers curse behind the wheel – so how many of these grind YOUR gears?

BRITISH motorists have revealed the things that make them swear on the road.

So how many of these common frustrations leave you turning the air blue?

 Brit motorists have admitted to regularly swearing while on the road
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Brit motorists have admitted to regularly swearing while on the roadCredit: Getty - Contributor

According to a study by Hyundai, foul-mouthed Brits curse every two and a half miles.

Researchers who polled 2,000 drivers found they typically swear 41 times during every 100 miles travelled - but it could put them at risk of a fine for road rage.

The typical motorist commutes 373 miles to and from work during an average month and in the process they’ll curse 152 times on average.

During a month of school runs, where 64 miles are covered on average, they’ll typically use a naughty word 26 times.

TOP 30 THINGS THAT MAKE BRIT DRIVERS CURSE

  1. Someone 'cutting you up'
  2. Nearly being rammed by a driver changing lanes
  3. Seeing someone texting and driving
  4. Drivers who don't indicate
  5. A pedestrian stepping into the road without looking
  6. Drivers who drive with full beam on and blind you
  7. Someone driving too slowly in front of you
  8. Parking across two spaces
  9. Drivers who don't thank you for waiting for them to pull out
  10. Motorway middle lane hoggers
  11. Being stuck behind a tractor
  12. People who beep at you for no reason
  13. Cyclists who run a red lights
  14. When a lorry slowly overtakes another one, causing a tailback
  15. Being get flashed by a speed camera
  16. Being stuck in traffic
  17. Getting stuck behind a cyclist
  18. Running late
  19. When someone undertakes you on the motorway
  20. Someone speeding past you
  21. Getting stuck behind a lorry
  22. When someone takes too long to park
  23. 'Rubbernecking' at accidents
  24. One of your passengers 'backseat driving'
  25. Getting stuck behind a bus
  26. Getting stuck behind a milk float
  27. Hitting a red light
  28. Having to slow down for speed bumps
  29. Being held up by an accident up ahead
  30. Noisy passengers
 Getting cut up is the thing that irritates drivers the most
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Getting cut up is the thing that irritates drivers the mostCredit: Getty - Contributor

But the research found a whopping 84 per cent weren’t aware cursing or making rude gestures at fellow motorists counts as "disorderly behaviour" and could result in a fine up to £1,000.

As part of Clean Driving Month, Hyundai has teamed up with consumer psychologist, Patrick Fagan, to find out how motorists can "clean up their attitude" behind the wheel.

The research found 90 per cent of UK adults admit to swearing when behind the wheel.


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But 61 per cent of parents polled said they never use profanities when children are in the vehicle, and 45 per cent revealed they substitute swear words with "friendlier" versions such as "fudging hell" or "what a plonker" when they are with the kids.

Getting cut up, those who park over two spaces and seeing someone text while driving are among the most common catalysts for curse words.

Hyundai's research also found 38 per cent are especially prone to losing their cool when driving, while four in 10 motorists revealed driving is when they tend to swear most often.

And if you want to avoid an angry outburst on the road, you’re best off avoiding the M25.

The 117-mile motorway was identified as the major motorway or A road most likely to make those polled curse - followed by the M6 and the M1.

Patrick Fagan, who’s based at Goldsmiths University, said: “It’s interesting to see that British drivers swear as often as 41 times every 100 miles, the challenge is making sure drivers don’t cross over from ‘auto annoyance’ to ‘road rage’.

"There are ways that everyone can ensure they’re in a positive mindset when they get behind the wheel – from removing distractions, listening to peaceful music or eating some chocolate.”