Not to brag, but in my 25 years of life, I've embarked on more cross-country road trips than the average Joe.

Being in a military family, we loaded up the car and hit the road for a new Australian state every two to three years.

You may be thinking, 'Wow, she must be so worldly and wise', and if so, thank you! But really, instead of a profound knowledge of Australian soil and culture, I gained a deep and unfortunate understanding of how a long stretch of bitumen and a small space can impact the human psyche.

So, not only can I brag about my road trip count, but I can also brag about the number of swear words and middle fingers I've seen from other drivers from the backseat of a car.

After nearly a decade behind the wheel, I've realised our driving habits say more about us than we'd care to admit — that's backed up by Youi, the award-winning insurer helping Australians better understand and navigate life on the road.

Data from Youi indicates that 45 per cent of Australian adults drive every day. That's nearly half of the adult population behind the wheel — each with their own habits and quirks — so it's no wonder tensions can run high.

Tailgating isn't just annoying. It's our national pet peeve.

One of the most irritating driving habits is tailgating — the art of driving close enough to the car in front of you without actually rear-ending it.

It's like the classic sibling taunt, 'I'm not touching you'. The game where one sibling frustrates the other by poking or hitting the air near them, but does not physically touch them, rendering the culprit "innocent".

But it's not innocent, is it? There was intent to annoy and push them to anger.

Tailgating is basically a high-risk 'I'm not touching you'. I was over it as a child, and I'm over it as a road user.

I'm not alone either — the national survey found tailgating to be Australia's most annoying driving habit, with nearly half of drivers ranking it number one.

I do too, because it feels personal. To tailgate someone is to attack their safety and personal space. It's a demand for someone to drive faster than their comfort zone allows, and it's a method to pique stress and anxiety in other drivers.

It's not always purposeful though, and in fact, the tailgater themselves usually feels like the victim.

We've all been in situations where we're running late and somehow manage to find ourselves inescapably driving behind a car travelling under the speed limit. That existing frustration about being late ends up placed on the driver ahead, and the gap between cars closes.

That's when drivers need to firmly remind themselves that there is no ill-will from the driver ahead of them — just as there is no ill-will from the sibling copping the 'I'm not touching you' nonsense. 

Road rage: the ick we can't escape.

Personally, when I step into my car, it's like stepping into my own world. I have my favourite air freshener scenting the vehicle, I have an ornament hanging from my rearview mirror, and I play music that suits my taste. It's my bubble; and every driver has one.

Within this bubble, I feel invisible to the rest of the world. There is no such thing as singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack too loudly or theatrically. It's like I'm protected by the steel and aluminium frame of my MG, which occasionally makes me feel more entitled and impatient.

This feeling of anonymity is where road rage starts, and 46 per cent of Australians are sick of it, listing it in their top three driving-related irritations.

From the safety of their car, many Australians have vented obscenities at drivers who cut them off or overtook aggressively. These hostile reactions often arise from frustration and the false sense of anonymity a vehicle provides — yet what starts as a moment of road rage can escalate into a culture of tailgating, brake-checking, shouting, finger-flipping, and even physical confrontations.

So, how do we fix it?

For a nation of people renowned for being laid-back, there are a lot of anger-based driving habits hardwired into Australian road users; but there are solutions. 

Drawing on Youi's data, 42 per cent of Australians believe stricter penalties would reduce incidences of tailgating and road rage. However, there are already heavy fines, demerit point consequences, and a risk of licence disqualification for those indiscretions. It appears strict penalties are not enough to stop negative driving habits.

Increased police presence was a solution supported by 39 per cent of Australians; and this is where I think we're onto something. Despite being in a personal bubble while driving, there is something about seeing a police car that makes you feel highly visible, rendering drivers less likely to commit traffic offences.

Better education for younger drivers was a solution that was also supported by 39 per cent of Australians, and this is my favourite.

When it comes to education, I think it would be beneficial for driving instructors to discuss emotional challenges behind the wheel with teenagers in addition to teaching them how to drive. We need a driving attitude overhaul, and we need to start with our youngest drivers. 

We live in the best country in the world for a great road trip, so let's cure our love-hate relationship with driving to ensure future kids in the backseat are more enthralled with the view outside their window than with the profanities coming from the driver's seat.

Head to Youi's website to find out more about car insurance.

Product issued by Youi Pty Ltd. Consider our Car PDS to decide if this product is right for you. PDS and TMD available at youi.com.au .

Most annoying Driving Habits study was sourced from a survey conducted by Dynata from November 14, 2025 to November 16, 2025, involving 1,007 individuals aged 18 years old and above, from all states and territories within Australia. You can find the survey here .

Featured image: Supplied.

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