Three in four drivers believe motoring manners have got worse in the past decade.
The Ford survey of 2,000 motorists found that the top bugbears are throwing rubbish out of car windows, making loud hands-free calls, playing music too loudly, inconsiderate parking and grooming in the rear-view mirror, with aggressive cyclists and tailgating also figuring.
The research, released for the launch of the Ford Fiesta Vignale, found that being in a hurry made a quarter of drivers forget their manners.
Half said witnessing other drivers exhibiting poor behaviour is enough to put them in a bad mood for the day.
And six in 10 get angry at drivers who park inconsiderately by straddling two spaces.
Ford teamed up with etiquette experts Debrett’s to provide a guide to better behaviour on the road.
Debrett’s said drivers should say thank you to fellow motorists more often, keep their voice down, refrain from using rear-view mirrors to apply make-up or straighten hair and show consideration for residents by keeping music to a minimum when moving through built up areas.
Debrett’s managing director Renee Kuo said: “This research shows many people have noticed a decline in driving etiquette over the last decade.
“Frustration with other motorists can make the most mild-mannered of us forget our basic Ps and Qs, and can even lead to incidents of road rage.
“Our guide will hopefully help drivers retain their reputation for good manners and self-restraint.
“Among our tips, we encourage drivers to say thank you more often, to keep the volume down when listening to music or speaking on hands-free, and to refrain from grooming-on-the-go.”
Many motorists blame mobile phones for the decline in manners.
They also criticise pedestrians for looking at their phones while crossing the road when they are clearly oblivious to whether it is safe.
Katherine Lewis, an expert in behavioural science at Debrett’s, said: “Advances in in-car technology have made driving more convenient and comfortable than ever, so it’s striking that so many of us believe motoring manners have declined as technology has improved.
“Stress is one of the most common causes of road rage, so as our lifestyles become more hectic than ever, our guide encourages drivers to overcome everyday frustrations and practise a few common courtesies for a calm and enjoyable journey.”
