The six reasons why Ann Wason Moore believes road rage is increasing every year

If you’re guilty of any of these dodgy driving practices, please consider handing in your licence. Vote here to have your say

Another day, another disaster on our roads.

Whether it’s an awful accident or terrible traffic, driving across Australia is not for the faint-hearted.

In fact, RACQ’s latest Road Safety Survey showed road rage is increasing every year, with 82.6 per cent of survey respondents believing the number of aggressive drivers has increased in the past twelve months, up from 74.1 per cent in 2020.

While our police do their best to crack down on the most dangerous driving habits such as speeding, drink driving or using a mobile phone, maybe it’s time to take a zero tolerance stance when it comes to stupidity on our streets.

Every time I’m on the road, I see at least a handful of dumb decisions. While they might not be serious, every mistake is magnified when you’re travelling at a minimum of 60kmh.

Now, I’ll admit I’m anything but a perfect driver. While I’ve never had a crash with an animate object, my Mitsubishi bears the scars of many a stoush with a static entity such as a parking lot pillar. Damn you, Pacific Fair.

Aussie roads see a lot of bad habits. Picture: Nigel Hallett

But while the punishment from these prangs in the shape of dents and scrapes has forced me to improve my attention – and depth perception, plenty of drivers are getting away with their bad behaviour.

Perhaps if there were some cop consequences for innocuous yet annoying habits – bad behaviours which can still cause accidents, after all – our overall driving skills would improve, as would our road safety.

To help our traffic police accelerate this motorist safety program, I’ve kindly listed the most annoying habits of drivers that may not be illegal, but perhaps should be. (Offences against stationery objects not included)

See the list and cast your vote below >>>

Incorrect indicators

When you’re behind the steering wheel, it’s quite unnerving that you have no idea just what the people around you are about to do, especially considering we’re all operating a 1000kg piece of machinery. If only we had some indication of what would come next …

Ahh, indicators … the clue is in the name. Yet they are simultaneously the most under, over and incorrectly used driving tool. Please, I beg of you, switch that baby on before you begin to drift into my lane. And switch it off before continuing straight past the next five intersections.

Maddening mergers

Whether it’s someone who uses the merge lane as the shortcut to the front of the line, someone who just sits there and lets every conceivable gap pass while traffic builds behind, or someone who ensures their front bumper kisses the rear of the next car in line – all the better to block you with, my dear – the general inability to merge sensibly has all but driven this driver to insanity.

Traffic across Australia tends to bring the worst out of our drivers. Picture: Richard Gosling

VIDEO: SHOCK MOMENT MAN RUN OVER IN ROAD RAGE

Reckless lane changing

This is not a game of Frogger, guys. (That’s Crossy Road for you P-platers.) You might be late for work, but that does not mean you should dart in and out of lanes, trying to save that extra 30 seconds or to ensure you score the shortest line at the traffic lights. Choose a lane, preferably the left, and remain there unless overtaking or turning. Thanks.

Ridiculous roundabouts

Let me break it down.

Pay attention to lane markings before reaching the roundabout, but generally left-turns in the left lane, right turns in the right lane, straight can take their pick. Always give way to traffic on your right. If turning left, indicate left and take the first exit. If going straight, do not indicate left until the first exit has passed and take the second exit. If turning right, indicate right until you have passed the second exit, then indicate left before the third exit.

That’s it. Now do better.

Pompous parking

There’s a special place in hell for these guys. I don’t care if it’s cyclonic wind conditions, do not park in the disabled spot unless you are actually disabled. Do not consider the parking line as something that should be centred under your vehicle. Do not park your V8 in the EV charging space. Do not park across the crosswalk, people with prams and wheelchairs and just plain people use them. Hey, I’m impatient too, but I’m not a monster.

Examples of bad parking on the Gold Coast Picture: Reddit

Wave waivers

Double demerits for anyone who fails to give a courtesy wave. No discussion.