Adelaide has the worst drivers – here’s why they’re giving me road rage

Bring back the country drives where the only hand signal is a polite slow lift of the index finger from the steering wheel, because city drivers need to learn some road manners, writes Jo Schulz.

Let me start by saying I’m outraged by my own growing road rage.

But with the school holidays ending and the inevitable increase in morning and evening commuter traffic that comes with it, I’m about to turn out-road-rageous.

Some may call it the City of Churches, but Adelaide could very easily also be dubbed the City of Bad Drivers.

Hopefully the fact the rest of the nation views Adelaide as the worst drivers in Australia is not news to those who live here.

I believe the problem largely falls into two categories.

First, zero self awareness on the road. 

The amount of times I’ve witnessed cars not pulling out the way to let an ambulance or other emergency vehicle get past is truly baffling.

Last week I witnessed one car continue through the green traffic lights along Morphett Road, causing the ambulance to hard brake to avoid an accident while trying to go around and continue its journey.

Also falling in this category are those who indicate to turn left at a cross road and apparently need a large turning circle that involves straying into the right lane into oncoming traffic. Guess what? Your car has the ability to make a sharp turn without veering into my lane.

Let’s not also forget that those signs on freeways saying keep left unless overtaking are a road rule, not a suggestion.

Peak-hour traffic in Adelaide’s CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Second, an unhealthy level of impatience.

Adelaide drivers largely have an innate inability to merge lanes in an orderly fashion.

Take entering West Tce from Anzac Hwy, where some drivers think flicking on the indicator gives them the right to cross over three lanes in one fell swoop; not indicate at all and change lanes so recklessly they need to hard brake to prevent rear-ending the driver in front, then they progress to tailgating.

I’ve often viewed the driver goings-on along West Tce as a warped version of the 1980s arcade game Frogger where a busy road had to be navigated.

Certainly, my car’s blind spot sensors flashing wildly are like a pinball machine in overdrive.

I’ve actually received more courtesy and ease of changing lanes when on one of the six lane freeways in Los Angeles.

TEST YOURSELF: ROAD RULES AUSSIES ARE BREAKING

Guess what Adelaide, those signs on freeways saying keep left unless overtaking are a road rule, not a suggestion. Picture: iStock

Please, tell me what exactly is so important that getting there a hot minute earlier and angering other motorists on your way was worth it?

It’s got me thinking: Was it always this bad here? When did Adelaide drivers decide all courtesy went out the car window?

Here’s my theory: If you’ve never left Adelaide and driven in another city, then you’ll never truly know how terrible the driving skills are on SA’s roads.

Full disclosure, I lived for more than a decade of my adult life in Melbourne.

To say I was initially shocked that Victorian drivers actually slowed down and made room when I indicated to change lanes would be an understatement. 

You even get a courtesy wave of the hand near the rear vision mirror to acknowledge and encourage good road manners.

Alas, I won’t be expecting that kind of hand signal in Adelaide any time soon.

Jo Schulz is digital editor at advertiser.com.au and has taken out her road rage by writing this column.