TAILGATING is the biggest aggravator on ACT roads, according to an NRMA survey that showed more than 84 per cent of people have experience being tailgated by another car.

The survey of more than 1500 drivers in NSW and the ACT, was part of NRMA’s inaugural Courtesy Driver campaign that encourages drivers to be more courteous and help reduce road rage.

ACT drivers also listed not letting drivers merge into lanes (46 per cent) and slow drivers hogging the right hand lane (41 per cent) as major frustrations on the road.

Almost half of survey participants said they had been exposed to some form of discourteous driving or aggressive behaviour from other drivers with 45 per cent stating that they had been verbally abused; 61 per cent had another driver intentionally cut in front of them; 76 per cent have experienced another driver beeping their horn at them; and 24 per cent of ACT drivers who have driven overseas believe local drivers are less courteous than their international counterparts.

NRMA Motoring and Services local regional director Alan Evans said over half of ACT drivers admitted to reacting to a discourteous driver.

“Being a courteous driver isn’t just about us all feeling warm and fuzzy, it might just help reduce incidents of road rage and make our roads safer,” Mr Evans said.

“We want drivers to be positive towards each other on the road and it can be as simple as the good old fashioned wave to say thank you when someone lets you in their lane or leaving plenty of room between you and the car in front of you.

“Over two-thirds of the people we surveyed believed that discourteous drivers behave the way they do because of a lack of concern for others and bad manners.

“We all know how frustrating it can be if someone is driving slowly in the right lane or they don’t let others merge. Sadly, all too often an aggressive beep of the horn or a four letter word screamed out the window may escalate into a dangerous situation and spiral out of control.

“It’s remarkable how quickly things may be defused by an apologetic wave if you’ve made a mistake that has affected another driver.”

[box]The NRMA survey also found:

• More than 31 per cent believed discourteous behaviour occurred more during afternoon/early evening peak hour

• Almost 90 per cent claim they wave to say thank you when another driver lets them in/pulls over to let drivers pass down a narrow street

• The over-whelming majority believe they are courteous drivers always or most of the time [/box]