Aussies admit to risky on-road behaviour

Australians think they’re pretty safe behind the wheel. Turns out they’re not. A survey of driving habits has uncovered some worrying trends.

Australian motorists have admitted to dangerous behaviour behind the wheel, including “brake-testing” cars that are tailgating, in a new survey of driver behaviour.

Research released by dashcam manufacturer Nextbase shows more than half of Aussie motorists believe they don’t have bad driving habits, despite many admitting to speeding, road rage and using their phone while driving.

Mobile phone cameras have busted thousands of drivers texting behind the wheel.

Of more than 2000 people surveyed, almost one in four admitted to speeding on public roads. More than one in three said they slowed down when being tailgated, with 13 per cent braking suddenly when annoyed by trailing drivers.

Only one in five drivers said they had not experienced road rage.

More than half of drivers surveyed said they are safer behind the wheel with kids in the car, while others said they took extra care when carrying fragile goods or during police double demerit periods.

Drivers say they are more careful during special police operations.

Some 27 per cent reported they were annoyed by cyclists on the road, with women were more likely than men to feel nervous when driving near a cyclist.

Nextbase claims one in four drivers responding to its survey have a dashcam in their primary vehicle, and that 45 per cent of drivers say dashcams should be standard in new cars.

Nextbase says high-resolution dashcams could reduce traffic crime.

Richard Browning, managing director of Nextbase, said “you should always drive as if you’re being filmed”, and that “26 per cent of Australians say that they would change their driving behaviour when they know a dashcam is recording them”.

Originally published as Aussies admit to risky on-road behaviour