‘Common’ road act Aussies no longer do

A simple hand gesture that once defined Australian road etiquette faces extinction as younger drivers miss the memo on this unspoken rule.

It turns out common courtesy has taken a backseat on Aussie roads.

The humble ‘courtesy wave’, which includes a quick flick of the hand to acknowledge a kind driver, has long been an unspoken rule of Australian road etiquette.

But a recent post on the r/Australia Reddit thread suggests the act isn’t as common as it once was, leaving many wondering if it’s slowly going out of fashion.

Aussies think drivers are doing the ‘courtesy wave’ less. Picture: iStock

An Aussie took to the forum to lament the supposed disappearance of the courtesy wave, asking if the gesture was “a thing of the past”.

“I was always taught to give the old courtesy wave if someone let you in, or moved off to the side of the road to let you pass first,” they began.

“In the last few years, I’ve noticed a huge decline in this on the roads and in my neighbourhood, and it p*sses me off.

“I’m in a newer suburb where the streets are narrower, so it’s a daily occurrence having to let people through while you wait, and I reckon about 80 per cent of people just drive straight past without even a nod. Sitting there just thinking, well, I’ll just go and f**k myself then. You’re welcome.”

Their post resonated with countless other road users, with many saying they had also noticed a significant drop in recent years.

“I always do it but have definitely noticed a distinct drop off in receiving them from others,” one said.

Someone else shared it was virtually “extinct” in their suburban area of Sydney.

Others said there were some serial ‘no wave’ offenders, namely “soccer mums in 4WDs and blokes in utes”.

However, some insisted “loads of people still do it”.

Is this social etiquette gesture on the decline? Picture: iStock

To get to the bottom of this, news.com.au spoke with two etiquette experts, who both agreed the act itself isn’t “dead” but it is on the decline.

“Australians are still polite and warm, but we’re more distracted and less present behind the wheel than ever before,” said Kate Heussler, etiquette educator.

“We’ve slipped into ‘autopilot culture’ where people are so absorbed in their own rush or their own bubble that they forget to show basic courtesy.

“It’s not malice, it’s a mix of distraction, stress, and a growing disconnect from the small social rituals that make communal spaces feel civil.”

Etiquette experts have weighed in. Picture: iStock

Etiquette consultant Jo Hayes agrees the tradition is still alive, but we’re seeing less of it than we once did.

She says fewer people – especially younger drivers – seemed to have missed the memo about this simple act.

“Gen Z, perhaps, have not been taught this driving behaviour as much or don’t realise why it’s important,” Ms Hayes explains.

“When someone has done you an act of service, it’s basic human decency to acknowledge this in some way, and to express one’s appreciation and gratitude.”

She believes this is part of a bigger trend: “Society is witnessing a decline in basic social skills in general – and the decline in the courtesy wave is a manifestation of this”.

There are multiple reasons behind our lowering of social skills, she says – one of them being the rise of ‘faux’ socialising on social media.

“The way we interact online is different to the way we interact in person,” she notes.

“If the majority – or a large part – of one’s socialising is online, rather than in person, one

gradually loses the ability (or never gains it in the first place) to socialise in a positive,

healthy way.”

Originally published as ‘Common’ road act Aussies no longer do