New research reveals which road rules Australians are breaking
More than three quarters of Australians are breaking lifesaving road laws. Find out which ones, and take our test to see how safe a driver you are.
National
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Almost three quarters of Australians are breaking lifesaving road laws, prompting an urgent warning from the Australian Road Safety Foundation.
More than 1100 people were killed on Australian roads last year, a three per cent increase on the year prior.
It’s not just drivers breaking the law though, with more cyclists, skateboarders, motorcyclists, and even pedestrians ignoring road rules.
According to ARSF research, 37 per cent of rule breakers did so because they thought it was safe to do so, while 38 per cent of drivers blamed lack of focus.
ARSF founder and CEO, Russell White, said the research, conducted as part of today’s Fatality Free Friday campaign launch, demonstrated a high degree of complacency.
“We cannot afford to be complacent when the price is somebody’s life,” Mr White said.
Our collective focus on road safety has further declined in the wake of the pandemic, with almost a third (32 per cent) of road users admitting that they’ve become more concerned with health matters than with road safety.
The research showed almost two thirds (63 per cent) of drivers admit to speeding, and more than a third (35 per cent) drive fatigued.
Twenty-seven per cent don’t stop at stop signs, while 25 per cent use their phone while driving.
Sixteen per cent admit to crossing double lines, 13 per cent run red lights and nine per cent are guilty of drink driving.
Nine per cent don’t bother with a seatbelt, while three per cent drive under the influence of drugs.
A whopping 62 per cent of drivers admitting to distracted driving activities; 34 per cent talked on the phone, 29 per cent looked away to change music or radio station, and 29 per cent looked away to use GPS.
More than half of drivers admitted to eating while driving, and worryingly, almost three in 10 said they couldn’t be persuaded to change this behaviour, even if it were made illegal.
Nigel and Jody Smith, whose 17-year-old son Lachlan was killed in a road crash this year, are supporting the push for safer driving.
“Our young people need better education earlier on in life and they need to know that these reckless choices in the name of fun, or even just carelessness, have lifelong consequences for you and those around you,” Mr Smith said.
“Please, for our son Lachlan (known to his friends as Schmitt) slow down, pay attention, and choose safety when you’re on the road” he said.
How many road rules do you break? Complete our quiz below.
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