Are Drivers Habits Getting Worse?

Is it me or are people's driving habits getting worse?

  1. Driving through red lights.
  2. People deciding to make late lane change across multiple lanes to get to a turn off.
  3. Uber drivers worst.
  4. Then Taxi drivers.
  5. People sitting in right hand lane 10kms below speed limit rather than freeing up that lane and being courteous.
  6. No indicating at roundabouts. Just not in ndicating at all for turns or lane changes.

I could go on and I see this often and don't drive that much only short drive from work to home each day.

Comments

      • So in near future I can watch Netflix and eat pop corns while driving? ;)

    • I can't fathom the idiocy that goes into thinking 110km/h is any safer than 130 or 140km/h. No - at literally any of those speeds if you have a serious accident you'll either survive or you won't depending on literally over other factor but speed.

  • +2

    No indicator, no indicator, no indicator. No one wants to indicate.

    What's better for example, is when no indicator is used when someone changes say into the left lane as they want to turn left at the traffic lights. Left lane must turn left only and has markings on the road. Then just before the turn, they indicate. Bloody hell, why even bother. Everyone knows at this point you're turning left.

    The most frustrating are those who travel under the speed limit in the right lane. 50km/h in a 70 zone for example. Then look at you in a "what did I do" kind of way when you swerve out in front of them in frustration.

    International drivers!!! This was brought up in the news lately. Am I saying they're all bad?? No! But we have no idea how they got their license. They should all have to do a drivers test.

    • Honestly, I think everyone should do proper driver lessons and tests, international or not. Too many people learn bad habits from their parents "teaching" them, then might fluke the actual driving test. I have a co-worker who has no idea how to do a reverse or parallel park because her parents don't know how to do it either, and she only had to do an angle park in her driving test. It's ridiculous.

  • People in 4WD's yelling out "Fu$K WIT DRIVER" I already know it's an acronym for the car your driving you don't have to prove yourself any further.

    • Ever noticed that when they are yelling, they are/were usually the ones in the wrong? I think all these types of vehicles come with a tattoo gift certificate and a bottle of ‘roids…

      • Off road FWD is the footpath for most

        • Come on! That isn’t fair. Sometimes down at the soccer park or at netball, they have to park on the grass.

      • +3

        Lol I had this happen to me today.

        Turned left onto the main road in stopped traffic. The guy I pulled in front of got angry and started pointing down at the road which read "KEEP CLEAR".
        No shit, it's keep clear for you so I can merge on.

  • You forgot the main one: people driving while on their phones.

  • No indicating at roundabouts

    Or that "give way to the right" is no longer the case at roundabouts, only give way to traffic already in the roundabout.

    • +1

      Legally you only have to give way to vehicles already on the roundabout. To me, it's a matter of courtesy to give way to cars on the right depending on speed and distance.

      That reminds me, I almost hit a cyclist at night since he went into my blind spot and he only had a single flashing light and dark clothing..

  • I had a really nice driving lesson yesterday. No one honked when i stalled at lights a few minutes into the lesson (first time in that car and getting the feeling of it) and everyone let me in and didn't speed past for lane changes - it was a lane change heavy lesson. No one overtook me as I stayed exactly as the speed limit even in the right lane. On a pretty busy Saturday in melb CBD and nth suburbs. I wish I could keep L plates and driving school sign on forever if that's what made them behave >_____<

    • -3

      I wish I could keep L plates and driving school sign on forever if that's what made them behave >_____<

      What do you mean by "behave"? They're giving you a pass because you're a Learner. If you stall at the lights, you should be honked at (and shouldn't have your license). If you don't know how to change lanes and get up to speed, people shouldn't let you in (you are a hazard), and if you sit at the limit on the right lane, you should be overtaken (you're being a nuisance to other people).

      Part of the problem is this attitude that other road users should cater to your needs. It's always other people doing the wrong thing. Always other people honking, other people overtaking, other people being bad drivers. It's never the fact that you're stalling out and inconveniencing people, it's never that if you can't get up to speed, you're creating a hazard for other road users if they slow down to let you in…etc.

      • I don't have my license…it was a driving lesson…

        and the rest of the time I was going the posted speed… it was a driving lesson…

        • -2

          I don't have my license…it was a driving lesson…

          Exactly my point - that other drivers were giving you a pass because you're a learner. It's nothing about them "behaving".

      • "and if you sit at the limit on the right lane, you should be overtaken"

        what?

        • Have a read of the comments. People sitting at the limit in the right lane is one of the biggest pet peeves of drivers. It's not me saying that, it's most of the comments here.

          • @p1 ama: I think you've misread the comments. Everyone should drive at exactly the posted speed limit.

            • @Tripnfelt:

              I think you've misread the comments. Everyone should drive at exactly the posted speed limit.

              Why? You can drive at the speed you want, but it's not your job to police how fast other people drive.

              • @p1 ama: Why? Because the posted speed limits are a carefully designed and researched strategy to reduce the amount of fatal road fatalities. I can only drive at the speed I want because the speed I want to drive at is exactly the posted limit.

                Not my job but I wouldn't hesitate to report dangerous driving to the Police. Will have a dashcam when I hit the roads.

                • @Tripnfelt:

                  Why? Because the posted speed limits are a carefully designed and researched strategy to reduce the amount of fatal road fatalities. I can only drive at the speed I want because the speed I want to drive at is exactly the posted limit.

                  You're really naive if you think that speed limits are carefully designed and researched. Many of my colleagues are directly involved in researching road fatalities and the research through and through shows that reductions in speed limits only have a very transient impact on fatalities, which is primarily caused by the increased awareness of hazards that a reduction in speed limits highlight.

                  In other words, speed limit changes only work because they highlight dangerous spots, not because people are driving more slowly. You're a young kid on the road, I'm glad you're not hooning around, but you've been indoctrinated in this school of thought that speed is everything. In some sense it is, and people who speed excessively do kill people. Again, research shows that "hoons" are not responsive to speed limits anyway so they're going to speed no matter what. If you're really talking about the margin where we're discussing whether there's any real difference in safety between 100km/h and 110km/h on the freeway for drivers actually driving at that speed, it's negligible.

                  The reason for the drastic reduction in fatalities on the road over the years is actually a reduction in the most dangerous behaviours (driver distraction and drink driving are the biggest two), as well as a marked improvement in road safety standards (e.g. barriers and banks) and car safety standards.

                  I'm happy to chat to you about this, I'm even happy to pass your questions onto colleagues of mine who are experts in this field and have been researching this area as a career for many years.

                  However, let me make it really clear that this is all objective research to find what policies work, not moral grandstanding. Unfortunately, nobody gets saved by trying to show how tough you are on an internet forum about following speed limits. Similarly, nobody is a worse person because they speed.

                  Not my job but I wouldn't hesitate to report dangerous driving to the Police. Will have a dashcam when I hit the roads.

                  Great, I applaud you. However, know that sitting in the right lane at the speed limit is just as "illegal" as driving <10km/h over the limit.

            • +1

              @Tripnfelt: Aren't you an L plater? Why are you in here trying to give the rest of us lessons? Hahaha go get your licence first kid.

      • +2

        If you stall at the lights, you should be honked at

        Wow ever heard of being patient? You think people mean to stall their cars to deliberately hold you up?

      • -1

        Don't know why you're being negged. OP is getting a pass because they're on their L's. If they weren't, any of that stuff should rightly be honked.

        • That's exactly my point!

        • If you wanna use your horn when it's not necessary you lose a point and cop a fine in my state of Victoria.

          ROAD SAFETY ROAD RULES 2017 - REG 224
          Using horns and similar warning devices
          A driver must not use, or allow to be used, a horn, or similar warning device, fitted to or in the driver's vehicle unless—

              (a)     it is necessary to use the horn, or warning device, to warn other road users or animals of the approach or position of the vehicle; or
          
              (b)     the horn, or warning device, is being used as part of an anti-theft device, or an alcohol interlock fitted to the vehicle.
          

          Penalty: 1 penalty unit.

      • Rough day? In all likelihood the learner driver adds a minute to the commute…

  • +1

    Agressive drivers
    Cops chasing revenue rather than dangerous driving
    Main 2 problems IMO

  • +1

    Number 5 really gets to me. So much assholes on the freeway sitting in right lanes below the speed limit. I'd more than gladly tailgate them out of the lane.

    • +1

      Overtake em then payback time, no?

      • I do that when they camp there for long times lol

        • +1

          The thing is they then slow down and anyone behind them think you are the idiot when they go pass as your in from bringing the speed down. Its a no win situation.

        • I just sped up then overtake and shows em with my car's roaring sounds saying "eat my dust".

          But pls no, don't revenge camp. Aint safe playing chicken with those assholes. In my case I just stay away from anyone who drives far below limit.

          • @Yummy: Fair enough, I have rarely done it, only that 1 or 2 times where you can see a driver purposefully doesn't want to give you way, i.e. What kills me is the cars the jump out in front of you when they can see you coming faster than them then don't move out of the way. I won't miss the 1 month I have off from Melbourne, driving wise. I can go vroom vroom here all I like as the cameras won't activate unless you're 20 over the limit.

    • -1

      Mostly are foreigners who doesn't know the rules but still there are some local assholes who doesn't give a shit about road rules.

      • I drive on the freeway a lot and trust me, I wish it was mostly foreigners..

  • The other day I was driving at 4a.m - ish on the freeway at 120 or so, overtook this black, fully tinted wagon and he sped up next to me, then slower down and started beeping the horn and flashing me with his highs for 10 mins. I couldn't see who the driver was but it's one of the few times I wouldn't have had a problem ramming someone.

    • Get a dashcam and show it to the cops.

      • I definitely will be getting one, especially after that incident. The thing is that time I was driving my dads car, I normally have two cars myself. I need to find a good bargain on dashcams for the family, hah.

    • When that happens I'm always paranoid I've forgotten to turn my headlights on or something.

      • Hah, that's understandable. We've all done that once or twice. But 10 minutes following and harrassing someone at 4am on a rather empty freeway is not cool.

  • How soon before a right turn should you change to the right lane?

    • You should start to move over exactly after the last exit before yours. But if you want to be there beforehand and drive at the posted limit it shouldn't be a problem - tailgaters or speeders who overtake you from the left lane are assholes.

    • Depending on your speed. Generally no earlier than around 500m on a large road with speed limits of around 60km/h I'd say? Also depends on traffic, etc. If there's more traffic, then move over earlier.

      • +1

        Yea depends on city too I think. Big cities, no-one lets you change lanes lol

  • This post come at the right time for me to share this clip. So I was on my way from work to home and captured a poor guy got t-boned by a Chinese driver with international licence and only third party insurance.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaP1tVdPOr0

    Exact location. https://goo.gl/maps/SrGzALTm6SB2

    • Can't see shit from your video.

  • +1

    I live in SA - sounds about normal, unfortunately.

    • Being T boned? Don't driver look.

      • +2

        SA drivers are woeful, mate.

  • +1

    I used to think I saw some stupid shit on the road when I lived in Sydney.

    Now I live in Auckland, it opens my eyes to a new whole world of stupidity.

  • +2

    More overseas drivers getting an license too easily.
    The highlight from that group is the middle aged mothers in vehicles too large (usually an SUV) for them to competently drive around.

    Also … too many people now brake and then just before the turn start indicating.

  • where are you sitting on that list?

  • Honestly no, we're just getting older and are more sensitive to anything and everything we don't like. Everything that's been raised has been going on for ages and will keep going on until true self driving cars are on the road and integrated into a traffic network. And no I'm not talking about current Tesla and waymo vehicles, the system needs road authorities to build a standardised network that cars are tied to. We won't see anything like it for at least 15 years.

    Regarding the slower driving in the right lane on a freeway, it's more likely due to a tolerance that's been mandated where the speedo can underreport your actual speed by 10% +4km. Here's a funny but accurate article from autoexpert explaining the situation https://autoexpert.com.au/posts/how-accurate-is-my-cars-spee…

  • +5

    Uber drivers worst.
    Then Taxi drivers.

    Is our national literacy getting worse?

  • +9

    Drivers who move slightly to the right before they turn left, and vice versa.

    Spastics.

    • +1

      That is beyond annoying, also when the go to turn right and for some reason drive 59 meters out of the way like take it super wide… What is the point?!

    • +1

      oh boy .. don't let me start.

      I don't really get it, it is not like they're driving a 2 ton truck. I mean who taught these fools to drive like that….

  • How would you know? I guess accident rates are a reflection of how people are driving. Certain types of safety improvements (e.g. better handling) would allow more accidents to be avoided in the first place even if driving habits were the same or worse, but it still seems to be the closest we could get to an objective measure.

    Every report that came up for me in a quick Google focused on deaths/injuries instead of accidents of all types. Did find this raw data for all reported accidents in Queensland:

    2001 - 22,023 accidents
    2002 - 22,317 accidents

    2016 - 12,469 accidents
    2017 - 12,363 accidents

    First presumption of what accounts for the difference is that I've stuffed up the count - maybe someone can check. Other than that, I'd defer to the statisticians rather than draw any conclusions from these numbers - unfortunately my quick search didn't turn up any reports on accident rates over time (i.e. for all accidents, not just those causing serious injuries and fatalities).

  • +1

    Intersection cloggers….Melbourne CBD at 5-6 PM weekdays is the worst for this.

    Selfish, entitled people who think that they can squeeze in behind the cars across the street, despite those cars not moving at all, end result is a red light and they're stuck in the middle of the road blocking the traffic perpendicular to them and creating a massive hazard.

    Corner of William and Lonsdale Streets is the worst for this.

  • Everyone seems to think the left lane on a 3 lane motorway is for trucks only… I end up overtaking so many people using the far left lane as countless idiots just sit on the limit in both outer lanes.

    It's those type of drivers that cause accidents, not the ones driving faster

  • +2

    Immigration

    • +1

      💯

  • +1

    Also Asian drivers are WAY too cautious, to the point they cause accidents. Also why do they all need the biggest suv possible it's just retarded.

    • So they can t-bone you.

  • +1

    I agree that drivers habits are getting worse.

    For recent weeks, I have encountered a lot more incidents of cars swirled into my lane dangerously or did not give way when they should. I did a mental statistic and these cars were typically Holden, BMW, Audi and big SUVs.

    Just 2 weeks also, a motorcyclist was sent flying right in front of my eyes at a cross junction.

  • Tradies are the worst, as soon as you see some muppet in hi-vis roaring up behind you, you just know that it's not going to be pleasant.

  • +1

    You forgot to add bus drivers to this list. Total nightmare, around Sydney at least. The ones that drive the government buses are bad enough, and then you get on the Hillsbus ones.

  • Is it me or are people's driving habits getting worse?

    I see lots of people digging their noses in my rear view mirror.

    • +1

      Digging nose is fine. But opening the window and chuck the mucus outside is littering.

    • +1

      Ah yes, but being able to do the 'double-pick' whilst driving! - Now that is a rare skill! hehe

  • +2

    This is a multi-faceted problem.
    There are definitely lazy/bad/distracted drivers out there. Perth drivers are shocking in failing to keep left, merge correctly and use headlights/indicators. The elephant in the room no one is prepared to talk about in politics is our lax laws with regards to immigrants/tourists coming to Australia and not having to re-sit their driving test or learn. VicRoads recently put a campaign out reminding tourists that it isn't safe to stop in the middle of the road to take photos along the great ocean road.
    Universities are looking to overseas students to boost their profits too so there has been an influx of foreign students as well.
    This is a real thing. Sometimes, it's their fault for lacking common sense, other times not.
    The other week, a group of foreign tourists forgot what side of the road they needed to drive on and clipped a mini bus head on. Amazing no one died!!

    They drive how they've been taught in their own country. A lot of 2nd world countries have lower standards for passing a driving test or it could be just different road rules to us ie they may not have roundabouts etc.

    I personally believe there should be a driving knowledge test component to getting a visa to come to Australia. A basic awareness of our road rules would help- in NZ, they have brochures in rental cars and billboards on the sides of roads reminding tourists what side of the road to drive on and what some basic rules are.

    Also- increase the fine for using mobile phones while driving. $1000, 6 demerit points. There is next to no reason to be using them whilst driving.

    • +1

      I saw a 'new' australian in Service NSW the other day, and they couldn't comprehend that the QLD car they purchased needed a pink slip to be registered in NSW. There were 3 Employees trying to explain it.

  • +2

    People sitting in right hand lane 10kms below speed limit. Mostly because they are waiting for a turn off.

    this is a bit of a tough one (sitting in the right hand lane early, not the 10 below part) as in melbourne, when a driver sees another driver indicating, they take offence and accelerate to close the gap, thus not allowing the merging driver to get in front of them. therfore, if you know you need to turn right soon, you can get in the right hand lane early, or wait until you get a bit closer, but risk not being allowed into the lane and missing your turn

    my favorite is the asian female drivers who slam their brakes when there is a speed change sign, eg: goes from an 80 zone to 60. better slam my brakes!

    • Speed cameras don't help, people are afraid to put their foot down then go into the left lane

    • drivers who slam their brakes when there is a speed change sign, eg: goes from an 80 zone to 60. better slam my brakes!

      I can't stand this too. You are supposed to gradually reduce your speed in anticipation of the change so that you are already doing the lower speed by the start of the slower zone.

  • +1

    Lane changes without indicating.
    Lane changes without headcheck.
    Lane changes or turning on short notice

    A woman driver crashed into my car (driver side rear door) the other day and she asked me if I didn't see her inricating. I didn't. I checked my dash cam and she had indicated but it was so late (and just before moving lanes) that I could only see the the side indicator light (like the one you find on the side mirror, but this was on the front fender) flash once on video before she crashed on to me. She didn't headcheck and give enough notice.

    • +5

      Indicators are exactly what they are, indicators, to indicate where you want to go. The woman still needs to give way to you, the lights doesn't give you automatic right of way. You don't need to break or give way to her, she needs to give way to you and/or the lane she wants to change to.

    • Lane changes or turning on short notice

      This one is unfortunately a requirement in some cities with very aggresive drivers. As soon as you indicate before switching lanes, the car in the next lane will speed up and close up the gap. I usually wait till there is a safe gap, indicate then move in to the lane. I do this so quick they don't have time to think.

  • People that follow you, that have their high beams on, or 1 bulb not sitting right hat shines in your rearview mirrors.

  • Yes things are getting worst from a drivers point of view and a lot has to do with 4 things in fairness;

    1. So many road and rail projects in Sydney right now and all it takes is one event to bring down so many. Which are taking far too long and impacting all. Add along all the property developments as well.

    2. Poor planning by developers who litterally make up there own traffic impact statements for new properties that are built on already congested streets and roads, which become real choke points. Which flow onto community arterial streets and roads, and then flow onto the majors. Developers have to do the impact statements in order to get a DA Approved, but they lie!

    3. Driver inexperience, ability and confidence on Aus roads and the areas they are driving on, having no idea on light changes, lanes to be in, general real world traffic awareness. Sadly this is worse with the amount of international drivers now in Sydney. They struggle on our roads.

    4. An extension of the above Ride Sharing and Delivery Services. They have added so much more congestion to the roads both peak and off-peak. I don't mind people making a quid, but the majority of people who are doing this in Sydney are people who cannot drive confidently or competently, they have almost no real driving experinece who are now making a living from this. We have all dealt with it, it is difficult to identify they are a Ride Share vehicle, they pick up and drop any where including Clearway, No Stopping areas. The majority just stop mid traffic without warning in single lanes and pick up fares, without pulling over.

    At least with Taxis it was regulated with how many plates they issued, they were easily identifiable and help control congestion. Most importantly in order to be accredited they had to sit for a Taxi Licence and meet the requirements set by Govt, and accountable to them.

    Today I saw a MenuLog deliverer on there Learners cutting the road like a fool, in the rain.

    Last week I was hit by an Uber driver coming from a bus lane in the city. Firstly didn't stop had to force him to stop, secondly dismissed the incident saying the damage to 3 panels of my car was cosmetic and was an iternational licence holder.

    It's sad driving these days!!!

  • either driver habits are getting worse with everyone seeing others doing the same and thinking I do the same too or Im getting older and noticing more things that my younger self wasn't focused on before.

    • Ive received some great posts. Might be time to summarise. Maybe I am just getting to old. Would say alot of these bad driving habits have probably always been there, but without subjective proof, my gut from driving so long has noticed in my mind just plain blatant breaking of the rules. Drivers have been doing it for ages. I cant tell you how many times I see people drive through red lights now. WTF. Whos in that a hurry. You catch up with then at the next lights anyway. By the way conjestion in Melbourne with all the infrastructure has reduced avg driving speed from 63 to 59 km. Doesn't sound like much, but must make a difference to a simple trip across town and cause driver attitudes to make poor descions.

  • +3

    *7. People who sit at 40km/hr below freeway speeds all the way to the end of the freeway onramp.
    8. People who randomly change freeway lanes for no apparent reason.
    9. On a country 2 way highway people who can not just pick a speed and stick to it.

    • Who does 7?

  • Two lanes of traffic (same direction) and some guy is stationary for some selfish reason, forcing drivers into the other lane so they have to go around. Immensely annoying when there is parking spot near by that the offender can't be arsed to look for.

  • Drivers that are only going 40 yards up the road seem to believe that they have the god given right to just pull out in front of you when making this short journey? As if the fact that they are just moving their motor around the corner or just up the street makes it ok to put your life in jeopardy.

  • Police aren't enough on road. That's why drivers aren't scared, taking a risk. I see drivers on phone or going through red light at least 1 or 2 times a day.

  • People changing lanes to go in front of me either:
    1. Signal for less than 1 second and merge in
    2. Merge in when they are barely in front of me, so I have no idea they are even merging in.
    3. No signalling at all!!!

  • +1

    I really dislike when people take off from lights real slowly in peak hour resulting in more cars being stuck being the light change, and backing up the traffic even further…I drive fast, I rocket off from lights, and I am decreasing traffic congestion.

    • Completely agree. Every driver has a responsibility to be safe, and also to maximise traffic flow. "Oh look….the light's turned green….what do I do now? Oh yes….I can start moving….there's an accelerator here somewhere….."

  • -4

    There is just so much self righteousness in this thread. In all honesty, I've mostly seen an improvement in the past 20 years of driving. Less high powered cars going sideways at every wet intersection (including mine back in the day), less talking with a mobile strapped to their face, less accidents in general.

    In reality, it's a bit like 1st world complaints where the big dramas on the road have diminished and people whinge about the minor inconveniences.

    Your perception of road behaviour is probably more characteristic of the areas your driving around now compared to 10+ years ago.

  • What goes up and never comes down?? Your age.

    What goes down and never goes up? Australian traffic speed limits.

  • There are way too many international students driving on our roads who don't seem to be on the same point system as us. I know a guy who has run many red lights and has speeding fines but doesn't have his licence taken away? Can someone please explain this because this guy either isn't telling the truth or there really is no point system they adhere to?

    • Loophole exploits.

    • If they have a International/interstate license points do not apply

  • +1

    While we are talking about bad driving habits. When was a law passed that made it illegal to use indicators in a shopping centre car park? People think because the police won't fine them for not indicating which way they are going in a car park, they don't bother. What, am i supposed to GUESS which way that SUV monster ,driven by someone 5 foot tall, wearing sunnies underground, is deciding where they are going next?

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