A recent survey by Compare the Market Australia revealed that 58.9 per cent of Australian adults have experienced road rage in some way.
In the community, road rage incidents have included physical assault, reckless driving and even firearm use.
The survey found that around one in four (23.2 per cent) said they were direct victims of road rage, while 35.9 per cent had witnessed a road rage incident.
Thirteen per cent of people admitted to being a perpetrator of road rage.
The following behaviours are considered road rage, according to the NRMA 2021 Courteous Driving Survey:
• Physically assaulting another road user;
• Getting out of the car to confront someone;
• Tailgating in anger;
• Yelling abuse;
• Stalking another driver;
• Cutting someone off on purpose;
• Beeping the horn in anger; and
• Rude gestures.
In November 2022, a female courtesy bus driver was allegedly assaulted by a male driver at the intersection of Murray Valley Hwy and Butcher St, Echuca.
“A male confronted her at the intersection’s traffic lights, started abusing her, tried to grab her keys, pushed her and then walked away,” Leading Senior Constable Kervin said.
In June 2021 a long-arm firearm was produced in Undera after a male driver reacted poorly to a situation, stopping and climbing out of his vehicle and pointing a firearm at another vehicle.
Compare the Market also looked into the use and impact of the ‘thank you’ wave.
As many as 78.5 per cent of Australians say they always wave when others give way to them, while 83.5 per cent said they appreciate it when others wave.
Reckless driving and road rage is not only dangerous for yourself and others on the road, but it can impact your car insurance.
“If you have a bad driving record, this could see your car insurance premiums increase,” Compare the Market executive general manager of general insurance Adrian Taylor said.
“Additionally, if you were doing something illegal or dangerous at the time of an incident because you were engaged in road rage, you could be completely liable but your claim could be declined.
“If you are a road user, it’s important to always remain calm and treat other drivers with the same courtesy that you would expect in return.
“Reducing road rage incidents is just one way we can work towards having safer roads with fewer incidents.”
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