Aggressive driving in Queensland is getting worse, with nine out of 10 drivers the victims of road rage
August 1, 2011
Anger levels on Queensland’s road network are rising, with a new survey finding the state is the worst in Australia for road rage incidents.
The Newspoll study, commissioned by insurer Suncorp, found that nine out of every 10 drivers have been the victims of road rage incidents.
According to the poll, congestion and competition for parking space are the chief causes of road aggression. Suncorp Insurance Executive Manager Martin Weatherhead says the findings are a concern.
“Man or woman, young or old, road warriors or short-trip commuters, city or regional drivers, the results are stark – 85 percent across the state believe drivers are becoming more aggressive,” he says.
“A little congestion or competition for a car park and common courtesy goes out the window.”
Based on responses to the survey, Newspoll found that 92 percent of Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast drivers believe the levels of aggression on roads are getting worse.
“This aggression isn’t just a feeling – 92 percent of Queensland drivers surveyed and 95 percent of Brisbane drivers have been the victims of this anger spilling out into road rage incidents,” Weatherhead says.
He says drivers reported being forced off the road in 12 percent of cases, with 6 percent saying they have had their cars damaged.
“This means thousands of Queensland drivers have been put at physical risk during one of these incidents.”
Weatherhead has used the findings to urge motorists to calm down if they are cut off or tailgated.
“There is absolutely no place for aggression behind the wheel, as it spills too easily into dangerous driving behaviours, putting people’s safety at risk,” he says.