With National Road Safety Week underway, new research from Compare the Market has revealed the nation’s most hated action on our roads.
The research conducted by the car insurance comparison site found that tailgating is the biggest pet peeve, with one in five drivers stating that they find this behaviour infuriating.*
Not indicating correctly and speeding rounded out the top three irksome actions, according to drivers survyed around Australia. These actions could be the foundations of distracted driving and road rage, which, according to recent Compare the Market research, around 60% of drivers have experienced in the past 12 months.
| Rank | Pet peeve on the roads | % of people who say this pet peeve annoys them the most |
| 1 | Tailgating | 20.19% |
| 2 | Not indicating properly | 14.98% |
| 3 | Speeding | 13.60% |
| 4 | Using mobile phones while driving | 12.75% |
| 5 | Driving under the speed limit | 10.20% |
Despite some common themes around pet peeves between the generations, there were also some stark differences. Gen Z was the only generation to consider driving under the speed limit as the most infuriating action on our roads, whereas tailgating was frustrating older generations the most.
| Generation | Biggest pet peeve | 2nd biggest pet peeve | 3rd biggest pet peeve |
| Gen Z | Driving under the speed limit 15.9% | Not indicating properly 15.2% | Tailgating 14.5% |
| Millennials | Speeding 16.4% | Tailgating 14.6% | Not indicating properly 12.7% |
| Gen X | Tailgating 19.3% | Using mobile phones while driving 14.8% | Not indicating properly 13.9% |
| Baby Boomers | Tailgating 24.1% | Not indicating properly 14.8% | Using mobile phones while driving 14.2% |
Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager for General Insurance and car insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, said that while many people may consider these actions pet peeves, drivers should be aware that most of these actions are illegal and could affect their record as a driver.
“While not indicating properly, tailgating, or speeding can seem more convenient for some people while on the road, these are illegal behaviours that can lead to demerit points and financial fines, not to mention potential accidents,” Mr Taylor said.
“Drivers should note that car insurers may consider tickets, fines and suspensions when they are calculating their premiums as a part of their risk assessment.
“Having many tickets for speeding or other offences on your driver record may indicate to the insurer that you’re a dangerous driver, which could result in increased car insurance premiums or, worst case, they may decline to cover you completely.
“National Road Safety Week is a great reminder to make our roads safer for everyone on the roads and near them by driving in the moment, without any distractions.”
*Compare the Market surveyed 1,010 Australian adults aged 18 and over in April 2024
-ENDS-
For interviews and more information, please contact:
Noémi Hadnagy | m: 0433 377 252 | e: noemi.hadnagy@comparethemarket.com.au
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