Motorists will welcome news of new powers for police to tackle bad driving with selfish driving cited as the top frustration for motorists in a recent BCA survey.

A survey of 800 motorists showed that 70% found selfish driving the motorists hate most about other drivers, 57% of those polled were concerned about other motorists using a mobile phone while driving, while over a third (34%) said motorists’ texting while driving was a major frustration.

The new laws announced today will give police the power to issue £100 fixed penalty fines and three points for offences such as tailgating or middle-lane hogging that used to go to court.

Fixed penalties for using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt will also rise by £40 to £100.

The BCA research also asked drivers about bad habits they had picked up since passing their test.

Top of the list was not keeping both hands on the steering wheel, with 60% of motorists admitting to this.

Second came speeding on motorways, with 41% of drivers saying they did this, with a further 32% saying they sometimes drive through amber lights. However, only 4% admitted to using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Tim Naylor, editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report, said: “It’s interesting to see that only 4% of drivers admitted to using their phone without hands free, but over half of those we surveyed are irritated by drivers who do the same.

“When asked which things have the biggest negative impact on the way they drive, nearly half of our respondents simply blamed other drivers (47%). It seems that UK drivers also like a bit of courtesy on the road, with 43% saying that they hate being ‘cut-up’.”