Three in four motorists want the legal drink-drive limit to be reduced, while more than 20 per cent think driving is less pleasurable than it was 20 years ago, the poll also showed.

Nearly a third of those questioned have been a victim of driving behaviour which has left them feeling physically threatened yet half admitted to shouting, swearing and making rude gestures themselves.

Annual mileage has dipped over the last 20 years but 92 per cent of those surveyed reckoned Britain is a car-dependent society and 73 per cent said they would find it very difficult to cope without a car.

In a poll of 1,116 British motorists, the RAC found that 51 per cent expected gridlock in the next 20 years, while three-quarters believed the UK drink-drive limit should be reduced from the current level of 80mg of alcohol to 50mg.

Top causes of stress on the road were motorists driving too close behind, drivers using their mobiles while at the wheel and drivers who do not pull over for faster cars on motorways. Road rage and inconsiderate driving was seen as far more of a nuisance than congestion.

British drivers' annual mileage has dropped from 10,200 in 1988 to 9,070 in 2008, with parents doing more than 1,000 miles a year on the school run or taking children to leisure activities.

A third of motorists said they went on shorter journeys than they did 20 years ago, with nine per cent of drivers admitting they never walk anywhere.

A 62-year-old woman has finally passed her driving test - 27 years after her first lesson.

Teresa Clarke, of Wroxham, Norfolk, went through 20 driving instructors, spent £15,000 in fees and had 450 hours of tuition.

She also failed 12 tests, cancelled a further 35 and had 50 mock exams.

Mrs Clarke, who has yet to purchase a car of her own, puts her success down to an improved focus.

"My concentration is much better now - I don't drink coffee or tea anymore and have no additives,'' she said.

Celery, curtains and cat flaps are some of the more unusual items stolen by car thieves in the last 12 months.

Dog food, disco lights, pyjamas and pairs of knickers have also been taken, a survey by insurance company Admiral found.

Thieves have targeted wetsuits, wheelchairs, sandwiches and scented candles, while one car owner's unfortunate child had a bag of homework stolen.

Car owners have lost gazebos, oil paintings, piggybanks, boxing gloves and, in one case, £10,000 in cash.

Excluding stereos, CDs were the most common items taken, followed by sat nav systems, iPods and MP3 players, jackets, mobile phones and laptops.

Thanks to the support of the 18 teams who took part in the Motability and RSA 5-a-side Football Charity Challenge, many more disabled people will be helped to obtain the mobility solution they need through the Motability Scheme. The event took place on AT the Derby Soccerdome and raised nearly £17,000.