Your number 1 driving pet peeve
In a recent samotor poll, we asked what driving offence you found the most frustrating while behind the wheel.
There were plenty of annoying habits like failing to merge correctly, using mobile phones and queuing across intersections.
However, tailgating was by far the most annoying behaviour among readers, accounting for 27% of the 5834 votes cast on samotor’s pet peeves poll.
Failing to keep left unless overtaking (17%) and failing to indicate (14%) rounded out the top three.
Top 10 annoying driving habits
| 1. | Tailgating | 27% |
| 2. | Failing to keep left unless overtaking | 17% |
| 3. | Failing to indicate | 14% |
| 4. | peeding up in overtaking lane when not overtaking | 12% |
| 5. | Failing to merge properly | 9% |
| 6. | Using a mobile phone | 7% |
| 7. | Leaving too much space between vehicles at intersections | 4% |
| 8. | Failing to turn off high beams | 4% |
| 9. | Queuing across intersections | 3% |
| 10. | Failing to use slow-vehicle turn-out lanes | 3% |
And the RAA has warned drivers who break the road rules don’t only upset other motorists – they can also result in a fine and put all road users’ safety at risk.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said other drivers’ bad behaviour was a hot topic among motorists.
“There are many rule-breaking behaviours that people find annoying, and not surprisingly our poll shows tailgating is high among them,’’ Mr Mountain said.
Indicating is a simple driving task and an important one for safety’s sake but failing to do so draws the ire of many motorists.
“It’s important to indicate for long enough so that traffic in the adjacent lane knows what you intend to do.”
Mr Mountain warned that these bad driving habits could create serious safety risks on the road.
“They can also result in a costly fine and loss of demerit points,” he said.
SA Police figures show more than 5000 motorists have been pulled over by police for tailgating – resulting in $1.32 million worth of fines – during the past two financial years.
In the same period, police figures show 1347 drivers were caught failing to keep left unless overtaking, resulting in 995 cautions and 352 fines worth $124,385.
Do you want to ask a road rule question?
RAA’s road rules experts can help.
Or call 8202 4570