Staggering number of Aussies subjected to road rage sparks new warnings

The alarming number of Aussie road users who have fallen victim to road rage has been revealed and an expert is warning aggressors of the consequences.

An alarming number of Aussies involved in a new survey have fallen victim to road rage incidents and an industry expert is warning aggressors to be aware of the potential repercussions.

A new Finder survey of 854 motorists found a staggering 74 per cent of drivers had experienced road rage within the last 10 years.

The survey revealed tailgating was the most common form of road rage, with 57 per cent of respondents having experienced the concerning and often dangerous act on the road.

A troubling 32 per cent of participating motorists revealed they had been purposely cut off by another driver, while another 29 per cent said they had been shouted or cursed at on the road.

The survey also found a quarter of motorists had been shown the middle finger while behind the wheel and a shocking 14 per cent of drivers said they had been threatened by another road user.

Tailgating is the most common form of road rage on Australian roads.

A further 50 per cent of survey participants said they had experienced someone beeping their horn at them.

Finder insurance expert Gary Ross Hunter said the acts of aggression were common on Australian roads.

“There are plenty of bad drivers on the road – whether they’re driving at a snail’s pace, not switching on their turning signal or distracted by something,” Mr Hunter said.

“It can be hard to keep your cool behind the wheel when coming into contact with annoying or dangerous drivers.

“But it’s important to remain calm, as resorting to threats or intimidation is likely to result in putting yourself or others at risk.”

Mr Hunter urged motorists to drive with caution and to remain aware of the repercussions of instigating a road-rage incident.

“Drivers run the risk of having their car insurance claims denied if they’re involved in an accident that stemmed from their own aggressive driving,” he said.

“If you fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent damage, insurers may refuse to cover you, leaving you responsible for covering the repair costs.

“The repercussions of road rage extend beyond the danger on the road – they can be financially burdensome.”

Originally published as Staggering number of Aussies subjected to road rage sparks new warnings