Right-lane hogging and tailgating are driving Australians to frustration, with a new RACV poll revealing the two as top complaints, while NRMA research highlights the widespread prevalence of aggressive road rage incidents.
A new RACV poll of its members shows that one of the most frustrating driving habits for Victorians is right-lane hogging, especially on roads with speed limits above 80km/h, where staying in the right lane without overtaking is illegal.
A common response to drivers overstaying in the right lane is tailgating – itself is a significant issue, with a recent NRMA survey revealing it as the most common form of road rage observed in the past year. The survey of 1464 drivers in NSW and the ACT found that 71% had seen tailgating, followed closely by beeping horns (67%) and aggressive hand gestures (60%). Just under 60% also witnessed drivers deliberately cutting in front of others. The last data shows 241 lives have been lost on NSW roads in 2024 so far.
In Victoria, where over 206 lives have been lost on the roads this year, RACV Head of Policy James Williams stressed the importance of following road rules to ensure safety, particularly during high-traffic periods like school holidays. “Even minor frustrations like right-lane hogging often escalate to more dangerous behaviours like tailgating, putting everyone at risk,” Williams noted.
The NRMA survey found that 44% of respondents had been victims of road rage in the past year. Of those, a fifth had children in the car at the time. Some 14% of respondents reported witnessing drivers getting out of their vehicles to confront others, while 10% saw stalking and 4% reported seeing physical assaults.
Road rage was notably more common among younger drivers, with 62% of those aged 25–34 reporting such incidents. While men were found to be nearly twice as likely to engage in road rage as women, the aggressive behaviour on roads remains widespread, with nearly all respondents (94%) having witnessed some form of aggression in the past year.
Both the RACV and NRMA stress that aggressive driving behaviours like tailgating and blocking lanes not only heighten tensions but also increase the likelihood of serious accidents. The organisations encourage drivers to focus on courtesy and following the rules—especially by keeping left on multi-lane roads and avoiding dangerous actions like tailgating.