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 surveyed around Australia.

These actions could be the foundations of distracted driving and road rage, which, according to recent research, around 60 per cent of drivers have experienced in the past 12 months.

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.

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.”

RankPet peeve on the roads% of people who say this pet peeve annoys them the most
1Tailgating20.19%
2Not indicating properly14.98%
3Speeding13.60%
4Using mobile phones while driving12.75%
5Driving under the speed limit10.20%
GenerationBiggest pet peeve2nd biggest pet peeve3rd biggest pet peeve
Gen ZDriving under the speed limit 15.9%Not indicating properly 15.2%Tailgating 14.5%
MillennialsSpeeding 16.4%Tailgating 14.6%Not indicating properly 12.7%
Gen XTailgating 19.3%Using mobile phones while driving 14.8%Not indicating properly 13.9%
Baby BoomersTailgating 24.1%Not indicating properly 14.8%Using mobile phones while driving 14.2%

*Compare the Market surveyed 1,010 Australian adults aged 18 and over in April 2024

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