Bad drivers and rogue cyclists are the most irritating aspects of modern life, study claims

Motorists neglecting to indicate tends to cause blood to boil

(Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

Bad drivers and rogue cyclists are among the aspects of modern life most likely to get people hot under the collar, a new study has suggested.

Motorists neglecting their indicators was voted the most common complaint in a poll of 1,000 people.

Researchers found that long queues, loud roadworks and train delays also tend to set blood boiling.

As a result, the poll suggests people will feel angry or frustrated five times a week on average.

With each spell of anger tending to last around 15 minutes, this equates to an hour and 15 minutes each week spent eclipsed in red mist.

One in eight claimed never to get angry or frustrated, although it’s impossible to decipher whether this is simply wishful thinking by those surveyed.

“Even with the best intentions in the world we are likely to spend hours or days of our lives feeling angry, frustrated and generally hot under the collar,” said a spokesperson for Andrew Sykes, which commissioned the study.

“Life is unpredictable, and many of these unfortunate circumstances which lead us to anger or embarrassment are caused by others, who might not realise they’re doing anything wrong at all.”

The study, which was carried out in the UK, also suggested that strangers are most likely to be the cause of our frustrations, followed by partners and children.

More than half of those surveyed believe they are more likely to lose their rag with someone after a bad day at work.

With one-third of respondents admitting they are often quick to anger, it appears that many have become adept at dealing with their rage.

The majority found themselves having to stop to take a breath, count to 10 and calm down when their rage becomes too much.

Forty-one per cent have been so worked up in a confrontation that they have had to walk away in silence.

One-quarter of respondents chose to have a calming cup of tea, while 15 percent simply shut their eyes and go to a “happy place”.

While the study highlighted 50 common causes of irritation, somehow a person walking into you while looking at their phone didn't make the list.

SWNS