New Zealand woman left baffled by Aussie drivers over common act

The New Zealand woman who recently moved to Sydney has noticed one of the biggest differences between Aussie and Kiwi drivers.

The New Zealand woman who recently moved to Sydney has noticed one of the biggest difference between Aussie and Kiwi drivers. Picture: Instagram

A New Zealand woman who recently moved to Sydney says she is “baffled” by Australian drivers not briefly flashing their hazard lights as a thank you to fellow drivers.

Former Kiwi radio presenter, Sophie Nathan said it was a common act of courtesy across the ditch.

“How come when you’re out driving no one does the thank you (flash) with the hazard lights?” she said on TikTok.

“In New Zealand, if you let someone in, it is courtesy that they do a little flick of their hazard lights, like little bloop, bloop, thank you, or you do the hand out the window wave.”

New Zealand expat Sophie Nathan questioned why Australian drivers didn’t briefly flash their hazard lights as a thank you. Picture: TikTok

She also noted Sydney drivers rarely let other cars overtake.

“No one does it in Australia. I’ve let people in because, you know, it works in roundabouts,” she continued.

“I hope some day someone will let me in. Yet to happen in Australia, and no thank yous. And I don’t do it because I’m a good person. I do it purely for the thank yous.”

The former radio presenter recently moved to Sydney. Picture: Instagram

In the comments, people said Australian drivers generally wave to say thank you.

“You’re looking at the wrong spots for the thank you, we wave with the left hand, next time look at their rear view mirror. You’ll find the thank you,” read one comment.

“We only blink our lights to warn people of speed cameras,” another comment read.

“It’s a two finger wave from the steering wheel the light flash is for warning about police,” shared a third.

Foreign drivers have also queried why Australians only reverse into parking spaces – an apparent quirk noted by an American au pair living in Western Australia.

23-year-old Caroline Armstrong shared a TikTok video, where she said “every single person backs into their parking space here,” and said the habit was “weird”.

“So, in order to fit in, I’m still driving around the whole parking lot to pull through and look like I backed in. Why does everyone back in here?” she said.