If you’ve ever eased off the accelerator because someone’s sitting on your bumper, you’re not alone. We conducted a national survey* that found tailgating to be Australia’s most annoying driving habit, with nearly half of drivers ranking it number one.
And it’s not the only behaviour getting under our skin. From failing to indicate to revving at traffic lights, Aussie roads are full of habits that frustrate, confuse, and sometimes break the law – some can even get you fined. Here’s what Aussies find most frustrating behind the wheel:
Top three driving habits Aussies can’t stand:
- Tailgating – 54%
- Not using indicators – 36%
- Cutting in without warning – 29%
And when we talk about true driving ‘icks’, road rage (46%) and people who park across two spots (32%) top the list.
These behaviours aren’t just irritating – they can be risky. Tailgating could reduce reaction time and lead to rear-end collisions1. Not indicating could create confusion and near misses2. It all adds more stress to roads that already feel too busy.
Why Are We So Frustrated?
With 45% of Australians driving daily and another 34% driving several times a week, it’s no surprise people are fed up. In fact, 39% of drivers see annoying behaviour weekly, and nearly 1 in 5 see it almost daily.
But here’s something many drivers don’t realise – some of these habits aren’t just bad manners. They’re illegal in some states.
- Tailgating can lead to penalties, including fines and demerit points, because it’s classified as failing to maintain a safe distance. In South Australia the penalties are 1 demerit point; $414 fine.3
- Not indicating when changing lanes or turning is a clear breach of road rules. In South Australia the penalties are 2 demerit points; $392 fine.3
- Using your phone while driving is one of the most heavily penalised offences in Australia. In Queensland the penalties are 4 demerit points; $1,251 fine.4
These aren’t just small slip-ups – they’re serious safety risks. With so many Aussies on the road every day, it pays to know the rules and stick to safe driving behaviours.
Unofficial Road Rules: The Etiquette Act
Not every annoying habit is illegal. Some are what Aussies call “unofficial road rules”. They won’t earn you a fine, but breaking them might earn you eyerolls, horn blasts and muttered comments from the car next to you.
- The courtesy wave: When someone lets you merge, a quick wave is the unofficial “cheers”. Skip it, and you might feel the silent judgement.
- Zipper merging: It’s not just polite – it keeps traffic moving. Taking turns works.
- Parking etiquette: Let people reverse park without pressure. Wait – don’t zip around them mid-move.
These unwritten rules help keep traffic flowing and tempers cool. Ignore them and you risk being labelled “that driver”.
What’s the Fix?
When asked how to curb these habits, Aussies have a few solutions:
- Stricter penalties for unsafe driving – 42%
- Increased police presence on the roads – 39%
- Better education for younger drivers who are new to the roads – 39%
- Public awareness campaigns to keep safe driving top of mind – 37%
- Driver education refresher materials – 34%
Do Men and Women See It Differently?
Turns out, yes. While over half of both men and women agree tailgating is one of the worst habits on the road, other irritations shift by gender. Men are more likely to call out slow drivers (33%) as a top gripe, while women are more frustrated by drivers who cut in (28%). Even so, both say one thing loud and clear – road rage doesn’t sit well with them.
Other icks that land in their top three:
- Parking over two spots – 33% of men and 31% of women
- Not indicating – 34% of men and 29% of women
- Lack of courtesy waves – 18% of men and 31% of women
When it comes to reporting dangerous behaviour, men are almost twice as likely (30% vs 17%) to report it compared to women. They’re also more likely to think stricter penalties (45%) might help keep roads safer. Women, on the other hand, tend to believe better education for young drivers (45%) could make the biggest difference.
The Generational Divide
Younger drivers might back themselves as being nimbler on the roads, while older drivers say they’re more experienced. But whether you’re fresh behind the wheel or a seasoned pro, annoying driving habits don’t change – they frustrate everyone.
Across the board, over half of both younger (54%) and older drivers (56%) agree tailgating is one of the top three most annoying driving habits – but annoyances vary slightly by age. Younger drivers (18–24) say those who use mobile phones while driving (43%) land in their top three more than Aussies aged 65+, who are more bothered by those not using indicators (39%).
And don’t be fooled – road rage is a top three ick for both – older drivers (40%) and younger drivers (48%).
Other icks start to become more niche:
- 44% of younger drivers put revving at lights in their top three, but only 6% of those 65+ do.
- 39% of younger drivers say undertaking is a top frustration, but only 5% of those 65+ say the same.
- 29% of those 65+ say slow drivers cramp the style of their Sunday drives, but only 14% of younger drivers put this on their list.
- 18% of those 65+ say not merging correctly is on their top three ick list, compared to only 9% of younger drivers.
Younger drivers are more likely to report bad driving (55%), compared to older drivers (8%). While over half of older drivers say better education for younger drivers would solve poor driving habits.
Does road annoyance change when crossing the border?
Crossing state lines might feel like stepping into a whole new driving culture. Suddenly, familiar habits disappear, new ones show up, and you find yourself missing the quirks of drivers back home.
Even so, tailgating seems to be a common frustration – almost half of all states found it in their top three biggest pet peeves. But some habits hit harder depending on where you are. South Australians, for example, get especially frustrated by slow drivers in the right lane (47%) – far more than Queenslander, Victorian and New South Wales drivers, where only a quarter put it in their top three.
No matter where you’re driving, staying calm seems to be a shared problem, with road rage considered a top three ick for nearly half of Australian states, followed by not indicating or double parking.
Western Australians say they frequently see annoying driving behaviour (45%), but South Australians are the most likely to report unsafe or annoying drivers – nearly half say they have done so in the past.
What states think will help fix things
States have different ideas on what they think will help reduce annoying driving:
- 50% of South Australians say stricter penalties are the way to go.
- 43% of Queenslanders say increased police presence will help.
- 40% of NSW residents and 48% of Western Australians want stricter penalties.
- 42% of Victorians think public awareness campaigns are the answer.
Practical Tips to Keep Your Cool
- Leave space: Avoid tailgating – it’s dangerous and illegal.
- Signal early: Indicators aren’t optional; they’re essential.
- Leave the phone down: Even at traffic lights, it’s against the law.
- Stay calm: Retaliation only makes things worse.
- Respect the courtesy code: A friendly wave goes a long way.
The Bottom Line
Some of these annoying habits have become way too common – and depending on where you live, a few of them are even illegal. Driving offences vary by state, so it’s worth knowing what could land you a fine.
Whether it’s tailgating, texting, or failing to indicate, these habits aren’t just irritating – they can be dangerous. So next time you hit the road, remember: a little patience and courtesy can go a long way.
1 Source: QLD Government - Dangerous habits
2 Source: myPolice - Failure To Indicate
3 Source: SA Government – Offences and Penalties
4 Source: QLD Government – Demerit points schedule
*Disclaimer: Data for the Most annoying Driving Habits study was sourced from a survey conducted by Dynata from 14 November 2025 to 16 November 2025, involving 1,007 individuals aged 18 years old and above, from all states and territories within Australia. Some percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Survey results have not been independently verified by Youi and may not be representative of the general population. Youi makes no representation or warranty of any kind of the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, or completeness of the data and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind suffered as a result of the use of or reliance on the data. Individual experiences may vary.
Car Insurance issued by Youi Pty Ltd. Consider our Car PDS to decide if this product is right for you. PDS and TMD available at youi.com.au. Any information contained in this article is for general information only and is not comprehensive advice. Any recommendations should be considered against your personal circumstances.
